FAYETTE, Iowa, - The Minot State men's basketball team shot 59.3 percent in the first half before improving that mark with a 66.7 percent shooting percentage in the second half as the Beavers shot 63 percent for the entire game in Minot State's 87-84 road win at Upper Iowa on Saturday evening in Fayette, Iowa.
The Beavers improve to 12-15 (7-11 NSIC) with the victory while Upper Iowa drops to 6-18 (3-15 NSIC).
Leaders
Minot State
Kyle Beisch: 25 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds
Upper Iowa
Joe Smoldt: 27 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 rebound
How It Happened
- UIU and the Beavers played to a 26-26 tie in the first 10 minutes before Minot State reeled off six straight points to take a 32-26 lead.
- The Beavers and Peacocks exchanged points over the course of the remaining eight minutes as Minot State carried a 40-36 lead into the locker room.
- Three consecutive treys stretched the Beaver lead to 10 with 15:18 left.
- Minot State's lead reached a margin of 14 points when Max Cody connected on a three with 11:48 remaining.
- Upper Iowa slowly cut into the deficit as the Peacocks trimmed the MSU lead to three four minutes left at 75-72.
- Beisch responded with back-to-back three pointers, burying UIU's momentum of a comeback.
- David Akibo clinched the victory with a dunk in transition with 23 seconds remaining before Upper Iowa added a three with 18 seconds left on the clock.
Inside The Box Score
- Minot State outrebounded Upper Iowa (24-20) while forcing the Peacocks into 13 turnovers.
- The Beavers shot 14-of-20 from beyond the arc for a blistering 70 percent shooting mark.
- Cody garnered 13 points while handing out a game-high eight assists.
- Akibo shot 50 percent from the field to net 13 points while Kody Dwyer shot 5-of-6 from the floor to total 13 points and five rebounds.
- Dorian Aluyi added 11 points while Drake Jeffries chipped in eight points and four rebounds.
What's Next
The Beavers continue NSIC play on the road as Minot State travels to take on Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State next weekend.
