Feb. 23, 2001

Box Score

ST. CLOUD, Minn. - St. Cloud State (20-5, 12-5 in the NCC) hit 10 of 13 second half three-point shots to break open a close game and gain a 79-60 men's North Central Conference win over No. 3 South Dakota (21-4, 14-3 in the NCC) on Friday night at Halenbeck Hall in St. Cloud, Minn. The Huskies broke a six-game winning streak by the Coyotes. Still, the Coyotes clinched their third consecutive NCC title as a result of an 83-81 loss by South Dakota State to North Dakota State in Brookings on Friday night. By winning the NCC, South Dakota earned the right to host the Wells Fargo NCC Postseason Tourney on Friday and Saturday, March 1-2 at the DakotaDome.

The Coyotes, who have a 12-1 home record, are 7-3 in road games and 2-0 on a neutral floor. In conference, the Coyotes are 14-3 including an 8-1 home mark and 6-2 record on the road. South Dakota is 6-2 when trailing at halftime.

Early on the Coyotes jumped to a 5-2 lead at the 17:05 mark of the first half but were unable to sustain any offensive momentum as the Huskies took control of the game after the first five minutes of the game. South Dakota went on an 11-1 run to cut a 27-16 Huskies' lead to 28-27 at the 4:55 mark of the opening half. But the Huskies regained control and used hot shooting to win their 12th NCC game in 17 outings. St. Cloud led 38-31 at halftime. The Huskies led by double figures for most of the second half when they hit 10 of 13 three-point field goals. St. Cloud had a 71-47 lead before the Coyotes cut the deficit in the final minutes. The Huskies came out on fire in the second half, outscoring South Dakota, 41-29 to earn a split in the season series with the Coyotes.

The Coyotes hit 23 of 52 field goals for 44.2 percent and nine of 27 from three-point range for 33.3 percent. South Dakota was five of 12 from the free throw line for 41.7 percent. Senior point guard Nate Tibbetts had 15 points and five assists to lead the Coyotes. Senior forward Jeremy Kudera had 12 points and six rebounds. Jason Barrow and Paul Marshall scored eight points for South Dakota.

St. Cloud hit 26 of 53 field goals for 49.1 percent but hit 13 of 24 three-point field goals for 54.2 percent. They made 14 of 19 free throws for 73.7 percent. The Huskies outrebounded South Dakota, 34-27. Junior forward Rado Rancik scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds. Junior center B.J. Brant added 19 points, sophomore forward Jason Kron scored 15 points and hauled down a career-high 16 rebounds, and sophomore guard Forrest Witt scored 14 points. Freshman guard Alex Carlson scored six points and dished out a career-high 12 assists.