(MINOT, N.D.) – The Beavers were not able to keep up with the hot-shooting Golden Eagles, falling to Minnesota Crookston for the first time in their last 17 matchups.
The first half did not start well for the Beavers. The Golden Eagles got off to a fast start, leading 13-4 just four minutes into the game. Trevor Rothstein would breathe some life into the Beavers, hitting a three-pointer that would spark a 10-0 run. At the ten-minute media timeout, the game was tied at 18. The offense would be in full gear from there, with Minnesota Crookston leading 29-25 at the five-minute media timeout. Coming out of the timeout, Minnesota Crookston would strike first with Harrison Cleary hitting a three-pointer to give them a 32-25 lead before Max Cody answered with a layup on the other end. The Golden Eagles would score four straight, getting out to a 36-27 lead. The Golden Eagles would end the half outscoring the Beavers 7-2 to take a 43-29 lead into halftime.
Early on in the second half, the Beavers forced a turnover and turned it into a fast-break bucket on the other end and then hit a three to crawl into the game a bit. However, the Golden Eagles would answer right back and expand the lead to 51-34. At the fifteen-minute media timeout, the Beavers were trailing 51-36. Out of the timeout, Stephane Manzi would hit a three. The three would spark a 4-0 run, but the Beaver offense could not keep it up. Malcom Cohen would hit one of two free throws to expand their lead to 56-40. Back to back layups for Minnesota Crookston would give them a 20-point lead, 60-40. On the ensuing possession, Max Cody would hit a pair of free throws to spark a 7-0 run to cut the Golden Eagles deficit to 60-47. Over the next few minutes, Minnesota Crookston would retake control of the game, leading 68-48 with 6:40 to play. Going into the five-minute media timeout, the Beavers trailed 69-52 with Cody headed to the free-throw line for a pair on the other side. Cody would go on to hit one of two. The Beavers would continue to fight, going on a 7-1 run cutting the Golden Eagle lead to 71-55, but time was running out. A timeout would be called with 1:58 remaining and the Beavers trailing 71-59. The Beavers would cut it to 10, but there would not be enough time as Minot State ultimately fell 80-69.
The Beavers were led by Max Cody, Kyle Beisch, and Trevor Rothstein scoring 21, 19, and 11 points. Rothstein led the team with seven rebounds, and Cody had five assists.
