ABERDEEN, S.D. -- Behind a hot shooting first half, Northern State was able to defend homecourt and defeat MSUM in a physical battle, 84-75 in the NSIC opener.

MSUM was paced early by a pair of threes from Trever Kaiser, who also dished out two assists early to give the Dragons an early 15-12 lead. Kaiser netted seven points within the first six minutes of play. Northern State took a five-point lead behind the play of Jordan Belka, who scored nine points for the Wolves. 
 
A Jacob Beeninga and-one brought the Dragons back within one possession with just over 10 minutes left in the half. Beeninga scored 13 points to keep the Dragons within striking distance as the half dwindled. However, Northern State would shoot an unimaginable 78.9 percent from the field in the first 15 minutes of play. By half's end, the Wolves would shoot 67.9 percent for the half and take a 50-35 lead into halftime. Beeninga's 13 led the Dragons along with seven from Lorenzo McGhee. MSUM shot 41.9 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.
 
Down by as many as 19 points, the Dragons continued to push in the second half. MSUM was able to trim the Wolves lead to eight midways through the half. Much of this was thanks to the active defensive effort the Dragons employed, which frustrated Northern State. The Wolves would continue to keep the lead between nine and 11 with under five minutes remaining. 
 
Although the comeback effort was valiant, Northern State would hold on for the victory, 84-75. The Wolves finished the game shooting 58.6 percent from the field compared to MSUM's 45.9 percent.
 
Top Dragons
 

• Jacob Beeninga: 22 points, four rebounds
• Lorenzo McGhee: 19 points, four assists
• Jaden Stanley-Williams: 11 points
• Trever Kaiser: 10 points, six assists

 
The Dragons are now 3-2 and will head west for a two-day tournament in Pueblo, Colorado next. MSUM is scheduled to match-up with CSU Pueblo at 8 p.m. on Friday.