EBEN — North Dickinson got the jump on Superior Central early Thursday night, handing the Cougars a 71-43 basketball loss.

North Dickinson led 17-5 after the first quarter and 31-19 at halftime of the Skyline Central Conference match-up.

“We had open looks early,” Cougars’ coach Matt Rondeau said. “We didn’t convert and they did. They shot real well. They had a good inside-outside game goin and burned us a couple times right off the bat.”

Tyler Halfaday led the Nordics (2-6 overall, 2-3 league) with 12 points. Hunter Mattson added 10.

Beau Rondeau hit 11 and Wade Krysiak had 10 for the Cougars (3-4 overall, 2-2 league).

“We came out in a 2-3 zone in the third quarter and got within six, but (coach) Chris Mattson made real good adjustments against our zone.”

The Cougars, who also dropped the JV game, host Carney-Nadeau Jan. 24. The Nordics host second-ranked Norway Monday.