LANCASTER, Texas – Minot State University shot 58 percent from the field, but couldn't get key stops in the second half as Henderson State pulled away for an 88-80 win in nonconference NCAA Division II men's basketball Friday at The Valley.
It was the season opener for both teams.
Minot State (0-1 overall) held a 16-8 lead early on with stellar shooting and didn't slow down much from its early start on offense. But the Beavers gave up 51.7 percent shooting from the field to the Reddies and were outscored 23-15 from the free throw line.
"We played good basketball in stretches, just not consistent enough to win," said MSU head coach
Matt Murken. "We have to be better on the defensive end of the court. Too many times we allowed them to play to their strengths on the offensive end. We will learn from that loss and get better."
It was a back and forth game for nearly all 40 minutes. Minot State had one lull in the second half and Henderson State took advantage of it. After taking a 56-55 lead on a free throw by
Nathaniel Moore, the Beavers were outscored 11-0 over the next four minutes. The closest MSU could get it from there was nine until late in the contest.
The Beavers missed just seven field goals in the first half, hitting 15 of 22 from the field, but trailed by two at the break. Part of that was 12 made free throws by Henderson State (1-0), part of it was 50 percent shooting by the Reddies and part of it was 10 turnovers. The Beavers committed 17 turnovers overall.
Kaylon Tappin led all scorers with 26 points, making 10 of 12 free throws, and pulled down seven rebounds for HU. Ben Marello added 13 points and Brad Nairn scored 10 in the win.
The loss spoiled another big night for Minot State's
Tyler Rudolph. The junior led MSU with 20 points, hitting 8 of 10 from the field, and added seven rebounds.
Luis Ricci Maia scored 16 points and
Trevor Rothstein added 10 points and six rebounds.
Nathan Mertens finished with eight points, eight assists, two rebounds and two steals for the Beavers.
Minot State will look to rebound against Southern Arkansas Saturday starting at 5 p.m. in Lancaster.
About Minot State
Minot State University is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and NCAA Division II offering 14 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletics programs. The NSIC is a premier NCAA DII, 16-member conference featuring teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. The Beavers are the only public NCAA Division II institution in the state of North Dakota.
– GO BEAVERS –
