MINOT, N.D. -- The Minot State men's basketball team will put its undefeated record on the line this weekend as it hosts Northern State and Minnesota State Moorhead in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play in the Minot State Dome.

The Beavers will host Northern State on Friday (Dec. 1) at 8 p.m. and Minnesota State Moorhead on Saturday (Dec. 2) at 6 p.m.

Minot State's undefeated start to the season has gained national recognition as the Beavers received votes in both the D2SIDA and NABC Top 25 Polls this week. Minot State received six votes in the D2SIDA Poll and one vote in the NABC Poll, which marks the first time the Beavers have received votes in a national poll since transitioning to NCAA Division II in 2012.

The Beavers will face a stern test on Friday as Northern State is ranked 21st in the nation in both national polls and has a 6-1 overall record. This game will feature the top two defensive teams in the NSIC as the Wolves lead the conference allowing 60.1 points per game and Minot State is second in the league allowing 61.3 points per contest.

Minnesota State Moorhead enters the game with a 2-4 overall record having dropped its last two games to Drury and William Jewell. The Dragons appeared in the NSIC/GAC Challenge along with Minot State and lost to both Henderson State and Southern Arkansas.

The Beavers defense has been outstanding all season long and is ranked sixth in the nation in scoring defense (61.3), 16th in the nation in three-point field goal percentage defense (..277) and 22nd nationally in field goal percentage defense (.392).

The Minot State offense has not been far behind as the Beavers rank 43rd in Division II scoring 86.4 points per game. The Beavers have outscored the opposition by an average of 25.1 points per game and have scored at least 78 points in every game this season.

Minot State is led by senior Tyler Rudolph who is averaging 23.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 62.9 percent from the floor. He has twice been named the NSIC North Division Player of the Week.

Senior Russ Davis is second on the team with 11.1 points per game and ranks second in the NSIC averaging 3.1 three-point baskets per game.

Junior David Akibo ranks third on the team averaging 10.7 points per game and second on the team with 7.0 rebounds per game. Senior Nathaniel Moore is fourth on the team averaging 10.0 points off the bench.

Senior point guard Luis Ricci Maia has been outstanding in directing the Beaver offense as he averages 5.6 assists per game and under his direction Minot State is turning the ball over only 9.9 times per game.

Friday's game against Northern State will also be the inaugural barefoot game as the Beavers partner with Samaritan's Feet in an effort to provide shoes for children in need in Minot. Fans who donate a new pair of shoes will be admitted free for Friday's game.