VERMILLON, South Dakotaâ€Â“ The NorthernMichigan Universitymenâ€Â™s basketball team traveled to Vermillion, South Dakota to open its season in the SouthDakota Basketball Classic.  In theirfirst game the â€Â˜Cats lost to the University of South Dakota Coyotes, 72-68.

The Coyotes openedthe scoring, but the two teams rallied back and forth until the â€Â˜Cats heldtheir largest lead of the game, 36-28, with 2:47 to play in the firsthalf.  The Coyotes fought back, but the â€Â˜Catswere able to hold a three-point lead, 38-35, at the end of the first stanza.  Ricky Volcy and Randy Alexandreled the â€Â˜Cats in the first half as they combined for 28 points.

Ricky Volcy openedscoring in the second half as he sank a three-pointer and a jumper which wereunanswered by the Coyotes. The â€Â˜Cats continued to hold their lead that theyclaimed at the 12:23 mark of the first half until the 6:54 mark of the secondhalf when the Coyotes made a three-point bucket followed by two crucialfree-throws.  The two teams traded bucketsfor a few possessions before the Coyotes claimed the lead with 3:31 to play inthe game and never turned back. 

On the night RickyVolcy had 28 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block.  Randy Alexandreadded 16 points as he went six for six from the floor and four for five fromthe free-throw line.  Nick Buck had 12points on six field goals and two free-throws. In the loss the â€Â˜Cats shot 45 percent from the field and 30 percent frombehind the three-point arc.  The Coyotes shot43 percent from the field.  Ã‚ 

Tomorrow night the â€Â˜Catswill continue their play in the tournament against Augustana.