Box Score MINOT, N.D. – In a back and forth contest, little separated Minot State University and Jamestown College Tuesday.

The difference was free throws.

The Jimmies outscored Minot State 17-8 from the charity stripe to escape the MSU Dome with a 68-62 win in nonconference NCAA Division II men's basketball.

“We did a decent job tonight getting some easy shots at times,” said MISU head coach Matt Murken. “I think we shot around fifty percent so that is good to see. Obviously we need to improve at the free-throw line and improve defensively. It's something that will be addressed and we will move forward and improve.”

Minot State (1-6 overall, 0-3 NSIC) worked a late lead, going up by three, 59-56 on a Josh Johnson (Sr., F, Lufkin, Texas) basket with 2:17 to play.

But JC's Mark Hoge took over from there. He cut the lead to one on a pair of free throws, pulled down a defensive rebound and knocked down two more free throws on the Beavers next possession to give JC a 59-58 lead.

The Beavers took one more lead on a layup by E.J. Williams (Jr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) with :58 seconds remaining, but Hoge hit another short shot to give the Jimmies (7-6 overall) a lead it did not relinquish.

“We allowed Hoge and (Devon) Thomas to get them back in the game late,” Murken said.” They've got two guys that are really good. They hit their shots and we didn't do enough defensively at the end to get the win.”

The discrepancy at the free-throw line came down to makes as JC took just two more than Minot State. But the Beavers went 8 for 18 from the line. The Jimmies finished the game hitting 17 of 20.

Hoge was the game's leading scorer with 26 points. He also added four rebounds and three assists in the win. Davon Tomas was the only other JC player in double figures with 16 points. The duo combined for 42 of the team's 66 points.

Minot State had three players in double figures and five who scored at least nine. Anthony Enriquez (Sr., G, Tacoma, Wash.) and Dominique McDonald (Fr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) finished with 11 points apiece. McDonald added six assists and two steals for Minot State. Williams finished with 10 points and five rebounds, while Adam Randall (So., G, Steele, N.D.) and Johnson each finished with nine points.

The Beavers get back into Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play Friday and Saturday with games at Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State.