WILLISTON, N.D. (Interstat) — The Williston State Tetons overcame a dominant first-half performance by North Dakota State College of Science star Nidas Paulauskas to secure a 74-68 victory in a men’s junior college basketball season opener on Friday.

In a game defined by contrasting halves, the visiting Wildcats of North Dakota State College of Science could not sustain their early momentum, ultimately falling to a more efficient Williston State squad that was projected as the favorite.

The first half was a tale of two quarters. The Tetons exploded for 48 points in the opening period, showcasing a potent offensive attack that built a significant early lead. Josiah McDonald was instrumental in the burst, finishing the game with 22 points for Williston State. The Wildcats, however, refused to capitulate, answering with a 36-point second quarter to narrow the gap and keep the game within reach at halftime.

Paulauskas was the engine for North Dakota St Science, recording a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds in 36 minutes of action. His efforts, combined with 20 points from teammate Cham Okey, fueled the Wildcats’ comeback attempt. Despite their perseverance, the Wildcats’ offensive struggles proved too significant to overcome. The team shot just 25 for 80 from the floor, a 31.3 percent clip, and connected on only 6 of 32 attempts from beyond the three-point line.

Williston State’s offensive execution was markedly more effective. The Tetons shot 30 for 58 from the field, good for 51.7 percent, and committed four fewer turnovers than the Wildcats. Eden Hobbs provided a strong all-around performance for the Tetons with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Carson Haerer added 17 points and six rebounds.

A key differentiator was free throw shooting. While the Wildcats were a perfect 12 for 12 from the charity stripe, the Tetons attempted more free throws but made only 9 of 16. However, Williston State’s superior field goal percentage and a higher offensive rating of 90.7 compared to North Dakota St Science’s 76.7 ultimately carried the day.

The Wildcats won the battle on the offensive glass, grabbing 12 offensive rebounds to the Tetons’ three, but were unable to consistently convert those second-chance opportunities into points. John Angau contributed 10 points and six rebounds for North Dakota St Science in the loss.

With the win, Williston State begins its season 1-0. The Tetons are scheduled to travel to face Miles on Saturday. North Dakota State College of Science starts 0-1 and will not play again until a home game against Marshalltown on Dec. 5. The two teams are scheduled to meet again on Jan. 29 in a rematch at North Dakota St Science.