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Wolves dominate MSU men in the paint, win 94-88

Sean Arbaut/Minot State Athletics Minot State's Nathaniel Moore (0) drives to the basket during a men's college basketball game on Saturday at the MSU Dome.

Stopping the Northern State men’s basketball team in the paint was a big problem for Minot State Saturday night.

The Wolves dominated the Beavers inside and on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 38-24 and scoring 40 points in the paint compared to MSU’s 22.

Forwards Logan Doyle and Carter Evans were a combined 12-of-14 from the floor for 32 points, sometimes making it look too easy with monster two-handed dunks.

“When you have two bigs like ours it should be part of the game plan,” NSU coach Paul Sather said. “I’d be a pretty bad coach if I didn’t have an emphasis to try to go to them. Those are two strong physical posts who can score, and that puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”

Both Doyle and Evans were instrumental in building an early big lead for the Wolves, as Minot State had a 50-36 deficit at halftime. The Beavers tried using different defenses in the first half, including pressing Northern and using zone and man looks, but when MSU went to man it made the inside game all too easy for the Wolves.

“We had some opportunities in transition and couldn’t do it. You need to execute different looks defensively because that’s what good teams can do,” MSU coach Matt Murken said. “We weren’t good enough in our man defense and it put us in too big of a hole early.”

In the second half, MSU tried to complete a comeback, but couldn’t get the deficit any lower than five points. Junior forward Tyler Rudolph racked up back-to-back double-doubles for MSU, scoring 30 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

“We were trying to win in the paint, but that didn’t work in our favor,” Rudolph said. “It’s hard to win games when you’re dominated on the inside. It just comes down to toughness, we have to put a full game together.”

Sather said trying to come up with a scheme to guard Rudolph can sometimes keep Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference coaches up at night.

“He’s just a really good player,” Sather said. “You try to guard him inside but then he’ll step out and make some outside shots. He just has such a high motor. He’s a good player but what really makes him special and unique is how hard he plays. If you don’t bring it every single possession, he’s going to beat you.”

Four other players finished in double figures for the Beavers, including Nathaniel Moore (16), Luis Ricci Maia (14 and eight assists), Stevan Jovanovic (11) and Russ Davis (10). MSU shot 47.6 percent from the floor and 9-of-17 from beyond the arc.

Doyle led NSU with 25 points and 11 rebounds, while DJ Pollard scored 21 and Ian Smith had 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Wolves shot 58.2 percent from the floor.

MSU (7-9, 3-7 NSIC) is back in action against Minnesota State Mankato at 8 p.m. on Friday in Mankato.

Garrick Hodge covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @Garrick_Hodge.

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