FARGO, N.D. â€Ã‚“ Theâ€Ã‚˜Cats opened up their 2003-04 campaign with a big 60-55 win over North DakotaState on Friday night at the US Bank Classic. The Bison fall to 0-2 on the season. Ricky Volcy had a big debut for the â€Ã‚˜Cats on Friday night.

NMU held a slight 33-29 lead at the half as R. Volcy had 11of his game-high 19 points after the first 20 minutes of play.  NMUâ€Ã‚™s shooting was a bit better than lastweek at UW-Green Bayas the â€Ã‚˜Cats shot 46.4 percent from the floor (13-28) and 22.2 percent inthree-pointers (2-9) for the first half.

The â€Ã‚˜Cats held the lead for the entire second half as theyhad a lead as big as 12 points with about 13 minutes left in the game.  North Dakota State got to within three pointswith less than a minute-and-a-half left in the game, but R. Volcy hit athree-pointer with a little over a minute left in the game to seal the win forthe â€Ã‚˜Cats.  Antwuan Holt then added twofree throws for insurance.

R. Volcy also led the â€Ã‚˜Cats on the boards with 11rebounds.  Steve Watts was the only otherâ€Ã‚˜Cat in double-digits as he had 10 points on the night.

As a team the â€Ã‚˜Cats were 22-45 from the floor (46.4 percent)and 5-16 in three-pointers (31.3 percent) for the game.  NMU made 11 of their 25 free throws on thenight (44 percent).  For the game theâ€Ã‚˜Cats had an 11 rebound advantage over the home team at 42 to 31 rebounds.

NMU held NDSU to 31.6 percent from the floor (18-57) whichincluded 4-26 in three-pointers (15.4 percent). 

NMU will face Minnesota-Moorhead on Saturday night at the USBank Classic in Fargo, N.D.