BOZEMAN, Mont.-UND has had success against Montana State in recent seasons, but the Hawks couldn't protect a late lead against the Bobcats on Tuesday night in Worthington Arena, falling 81-76.
UND dropped to 4-3 while Montana State improved to 2-6.
Last season, UND won two of three games against the Bobcats, including a win in the Big Sky Conference tournament.
UND led by six points with 6:33 to play before the Bobcats chipped away in the final minutes.
Ladan Ricketts' 3-pointer with 2:40 to go gave the Bobcats a 68-67 lead. Tyler Hall, who went over 2,000 points in his MSU career, followed with a basket at 2:05 for a 70-67 lead. UND could come no closer than three points the rest of the way.
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Billy Brown led UND with 17 points while Bentiu Panoam added 15 and Cortez Seales 14. Keljin Blevins led Montana State with 18.
UND will host Idaho on Saturday.
