BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings locked down Minot State's hot-shooting offense in the first half, but couldn't quite put two halves together in a 77-59 non-conference loss at Alterowitz Gym on Saturday night.
 
"Minot really exposed us in the second half," MSUB head coach Mick Durham said. "They're a veteran team and their experience showed in the second half. We need to take the positives from the first half and build off of those. I like how we competed; we just need to stick together and play more games together."
 
Carrington Wiggins was the leading scorer once again with 18 points – including 13 in the second half. Jaren Fritz and Nicholas Sebastiao gave MSUB a lift off the bench with nine and eight points, respectively.
 
QUICK HITS

• Carrington Wiggins led the 'Jackets again with 18 points.
• MSUB held Minot State to 31.3% field goal shooting in the first half – including a paltry 1-for-10 from three.
• MSUB had 11 points off of 12 Minot State turnovers.

 
After trading empty possessions, MSUB got ahead thanks to a basket from Carrington Wiggins and then a transition three from Damen Thacker. As Minot State couldn't quite get into its offensive rhythm, Jimmy Brown and Malik Brikat helped hold the Beavers to only one offensive rebound in the first half. Scoring was a rarity in the first half, however, as both teams trudged their way to a 10-10 tie at the under-12 timeout.
 
MSUB went on a 5-0 run out of the timeout thanks to a three from Wiggins and the first of Nicholas Sebastiao's eight points to put the 'Jackets up 15-10. Yet the Beavers pulled back in front with a 7-0 run before Sebastiao split a pair of free throws with 8:34 remaining in the half.
 
While Minot State couldn't hit its open looks, MSUB could. Jaren Fritz came off the bench and sparked the offense with a three, then Brent Finn nailed one in front of Minot State's bench, putting the 'Jackets ahead 22-17 lead with 6:09 to play. Although Minot State tied the game at 22, then took a slim two-point lead with 3:27 left, Bilal Shabazz's jumper tied things at 24. Sebastiao hit a three with 18 seconds left, then the 'Jackets locked down Minot State on the other end to preserve a 27-26 lead going into halftime.
 
The Beavers threatened to pull away early in the second half, but Wiggins had four quick points in the first two minutes to help the 'Jackets keep pace. Jo Jones sank a three with 16:18 left to make the score 35-34, then Ajanaku's layup made it a one-possession game with 13:27 to go, but then the 'Jacket offense stalled. The Beavers found their open shooters and stretched the defense on an 11-0 run in 2:03 to put MSUB down 50-36 with 10:52 remaining. Malik Brikat found Fritz for another three, yet Minot State scored on their next three possessions to pull ahead 58-39.
 
Minot State would lead by as many as 20 points in the second half. Trailing 63-43 with 6:04 left, Wiggins tried rallying the troops with nine points – including MSUB's final seven points of the night – as the 'Jackets got within 14 points, but couldn't get any closer.
 
KEY STATS

• Minot State out-rebounded MSUB 40-29 – the first time an opponent has won the rebounding battle against the 'Jackets this year.
• Minot State out-shot MSUB by a 53.6 FG%-34.5FG% margin.
• Carrington Wiggins was the St. Vincent Player of the Game for his 18-point, three-rebound, three-assist night.

 
UP NEXT: MSUB continues its homestand against Black Hills State next Wednesday at 7 p.m. Livestream and live stat links can be found at the men's basketball schedule page on msubsports.com.