Box Score ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Minot State University couldn't keep up the scoring clip of St. Cloud State as the Huskies steadily pulled away for a 97-73 win over the Beavers in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball Friday at Halenbeck Hall.

The Beavers (5-3 overall, 1-3 NSIC) shot just 30.2 percent in the first half and were outscored 30-9on 3-poineters as SCSU knocked down 10 of 25 from beyond the arc.

"We got off to a nice start, attacking for the first three minutes of the game but there was a little stretch took some contested shots and they built up a lead. But for the most part, the first eight minutes even," said MISU head coach Matt Murken. "But after that, we guarded poorly and allowed them to get in the lane off the bounce. After that first eight minutes, they got after us pretty good."

There wasn't a big knock-out-blow run for the Huskies (7-1, 4-1), but SCSU steadily increased its lead throughout the game. St. Cloud State led by just five, 22-17, at the ender 10 media timeout in the first half, but that lead grew to 43-29 at halftime. It got to 20 at 63-43 with 13 just over 13 minutes to play in the game.

Minot State had trouble mounting a comeback as the Beavers struggled on 3-pointers, knocking down just 3 of 15 in the game. SCSU also thwarted any comeback hopes with outstanding free throw shooting, making 31 of 35 attempts from the line.

"For the most part, we didn't do a good job of getting good shots and when we did, we didn't convert them," said Murken.

SCSU had solid balance as Kevin Levandoski and Jordan Poydras hit for 23 and 22 points respectively, leading five Huskies in double figures. Levandoski put together a solid game with five assists and three steals to go along with his points. Matt Craggs led the Huskies with seven rebounds and added 11 points and three assists in the win.

Lazar Boskovic (Jr., F, Belgrade, Serbia) returned to the lineup after being sidelined with an injury to scored 14 points and pull down five rebounds off the bench. Samuel Johnson (Sr., F, Las Vegas, Nev.) added 12 points and six rebounds, while E.J. Williams (Sr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) scored 11 points. Chris East (Sr., F, Toronto, Ontario) finished with seven rebounds to lead the Beavers and added eight points in the loss.

The Beavers will look to snap a season-high three-game losing streak with a game at Minnesota Duluth Saturday at 6 p.m.