Sacramento State’s precise shooting in the second half was not enough to leave North Dakota with a win.

Although the Hornets shot 56 percent in the second half, the University of North Dakota exceeded with 58 percent throughout the entire game in its 82-71 win.

North Dakota senior and 2012 Big Sky Conference first-team guard Troy Huff finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

The Hornets gave up a 1-point lead in the opening minutes and could not recover, as they entered halftime trailing 32-24.

Despite Sac State’s 31 percent first-half shooting, Junior point guard Dylan Garrity finished the half with 10 out of his 18 points.

The Hornets came out of the halftime shooting lights-out and cut the game down to 57-54 after junior forward Zach Mills hit a 3-pointer on the wing.

However, Sac State would not get any closer as the tandem of Huff and forward Alonzo Traylor scored nine of UND’s 11 points to create a 10-point lead with 1:49 left.

Mills finished with a team-high 20 points, while junior guard Mikh McKinney and senior forward Jordan Salley ended with nine points, respectively.

Sac State (6-10, 2-5) continues on to Greeley, Colo., to finish its short 2-game road trip against Big Sky leader Northern Colorado. Tipoff is at 6:05 p.m.

Ryan Kuhn can be reached on Twitter @RSKuhn