MSU Athletics - Men's Basketball

JUCO WING COMMITS TO MSU
The Minot State University Men’s Basketball program announces that Nickalas Turner has signed a letter of intent to pursue the remainder of his intercollegiate basketball career at Minot State University. Turner, a 6'3" wing, comes from Pomona, CA.

Turner played two seasons at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Turner helped the Panthers to 27 wins this past season. Turner averaged 14.6 points per game and was named First-team All-Foothill Conference for the second straight season.

Turner was a two-year starter in his three seasons of varsity basketball at Chino Hills High School in Chino Hills, CA. As a senior Turner led the Huskies to the Sierra League title. Turner averaged 20 points per game and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.

Head Coach Mike Hultz had these comments: “We got another player from a strong junior college program. Chaffey presses and runs the same offense we do so the transition for Nick should be smooth. He is a scorer with the ability to hit the ‘3' but can also take it strong to the basket. He is a long athlete that can cover some ground in our press. Nick should be a very nice addition.”

BEAVERS SIGN JUCO FORWARD
The Minot State University Men’s Basketball program announces that Marcus Balinton has signed a letter of intent to pursue the remainder of his intercollegiate basketball career at Minot State University. Balinton, a 6'6" forward, comes from San Francisco, CA.

Balinton sat out this past season after playing two years at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, CA. Balinton was a two-time All-Conference selection in helping the Mustangs to consecutive runner-up finishes in the Bay Valley League and 45 wins over two seasons. As a sophomore Balinton averaged 14 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game.

Balinton played high school basketball at Deer Valley High in Antioch, CA. Deer Valley played in the North Coast Section championship and advanced to the California State Tournament during his senior season. Coming out of high school he was the 8th ranked small forward on the west coast by scouthoops.com.

Head Coach Mike Hultz had these comments: “I believe having guys in your program that are used to winning is critical. Marcus comes from a strong junior college program and also had team success in high school. He will fit well into our style as it is similar to what he experienced at Los Medanos. Marcus gives us another versatile athlete that will be good in our pressing defense. He can play inside and out and is an active offensive rebounder.”

MAURER TO MINOT STATE
The Minot State University Men’s Basketball program announces that Jordan Maurer has signed a letter of intent to pursue his intercollegiate basketball career at Minot State University. Maurer, a 6'1" guard, comes from Mandan, ND.

This past season Maurer helped the Mandan Braves to WDA season and tournament championships and their first state championship since 1981. Maurer averaged 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists as the Braves finished the season with a record of 24-1. For his efforts Maurer was named All-WDA and Class ‘A’ Second-Team All-State.

Head Coach Mike Hultz had these comments: “Jordan is an interesting player. He has played primarily inside during his high school career and most likely will have to move his game to the perimeter at the college level. He is very strong, has good feet and can handle the basketball so I feel he can make the adjustment. The best part about Jordan is that he has a high basketball IQ. Jordan is going to be a lot of fun to have in our program.”

BEAVERS GET MARY TRANSFER
The Minot State University Men’s Basketball program announces that Jason West has signed a letter of intent to pursue the remainder of his intercollegiate basketball career at Minot State University. West, a 5'11" guard, comes from Lompoc, CA.

West played the past two seasons at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. As a sophomore West averaged 7.8 points and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 38 percent from the three-point arc. West played his high school career at Cabrillo High School for his father Gary. During his senior season West averaged 14.6 points, 3.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game. He was a two-time all-conference selection.

Head Coach Mike Hultz had these comments: “We really like Jason. He has a great feel for the game and I sense that he is a highly competitive person. He’ll be good in our up tempo style of play as he can push and distribute the ball. He’s athletic and strong enough to get in the lane and get something done for himself as well. He can also hit an open shot. Jason has very good feet and should be an excellent defender in the full court.”

PACKINEAU TWINS HEADED FOR MINOT
Minot State University men's basketball signed twin brothers Nathaniel and Neil Packineau to a letter of intent to play for the Beavers.

CROSBY STAYS COSE TO HOME
MSU signs Minot High star Andrew Crosby to letter of intent

MR. BASKETBALL MALZER CHOOSES MINOT STATE
North Dakota's Mr. Basketball Cameron Malzer will pick up his college career where he finished his high school career on the Minot State University Dome floor.

CARNEY NAMED DAC DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE YEAR;
THREE BEAVERS EARN ALL-CONFERNCE RECOGNITION

NO REPEAT FOR MSU
Black Hills State opened up big leads at the start of each half. Minot State University stormed back to erase the early lead at the end of the first half. The Beavers didn't in the second half. The top seeded and No. 5 ranked Yellow Jackets fended off all MSU runs in the second to take the championship of the Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball postseason tournament with a 93-77 win Sunday at the Donald E. Young Fieldhouse.

BEAVERS ARE BACK
There were so many things going through Minot State University senior Ricky Martinez's head as he headed up court with just five seconds remaining and the Beavers trailing rival Dickinson State by two. Martinez took an inbounds pass worked his way to just inside the 3-point line and made a decision. It was a great one. Martinez lobbed a pass to Shaun Johnson who tapped in a game-tying shot at the buzzer.

MSU raced to a 14-3 margin in the ovetime to send the Beavers to their second straight Dakota Athletic Conference championship game with an 84-73 win over the Blue Hawks men's basketball postseason tournament Wednesday at DSU's Scott Gymnasium.

BEAVERS HANG ON
The Minot State University men's basketball team put it in cruise control just a little too early Sunday in the first round of the Dakota Athletic Conference Tournament. But the Beavers put the pedal back to the metal just in time.

PATTERSON EXPLODES IN MSU WIN
Minot State University's Aaron Patterson became just the fifth Beavers player to score at least 40 points as he finished with a game-high 44 to lead MSU to a 95-78 Dakota Athletic Conference win over Mayville State Thursday.

DeWITTY HELPS MSU REBOUND
Minot State University senior guard CJ DeWitty scored 20 of his game-high 29 points in the first half and the Beavers pulled away from Dakota State in Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball. The Beavers led 50-39 at the half and outscored the Trojans 49-39 in the second half for a 99-78 win Wednesday.

BEAVERS BLOWN OUT BY VIKINGS
There wasn't a single area that Minot State University was better than Valley City State. The Vikings forced MSU into 23 turnovers, generated 13 steals, pulled down 14 offensive rebounds and dismantled the Beavers up and down the court in an 81-55 win in Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball Saturday night at the MSU Dome.

FIRE AND ICE
MSU's CJ DeWitty and Aaron Patterson compliment each other perfectly

BEAVERS GET DEFENSIVE
Minot State University's men's basketball win over Jamestown College was ragged and choppy, especially in the second half. The Beavers defense had much to do with that. MSU held JC to just one field goal over the final 9:05 of the game and limited the Jimmies to 22 second-half points in a Dakota Athletic Conference win Wednesday at the Jamestown Civic Center.

MINES SHOOTS OUT MINOT
South Dakota Mines scorched the nets to the tune of 62.3 percent and pulled away from Minot State in the second half to earn a 98-84 win over the Beavers in a Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball game.

YELLOW JACKETS HOLD OFF MSU
Black Hills State's Cain Atkinson broke an 83-all tie with a basket off an out of bounds play with under 10 seconds remaining preserving an 85-83 win over Minot State University in Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball play.

ROAD WARRIORS - MSU WINS 2nd STRAIGHT ROAD GAME
Behind staunch defense and a balanced offense, Minot State became the first team in the Dakota Athletic Conference this season to ground the Dickinson State Blue Hawks. The Beavers pounced early and never let up. Minot State never led by less than six in the second half en route to a 78-65 NAIA men's basketball victory at Scott Gymnasium.

MSU WINS UGLY
Minot State University forced 36 Dakota State turnovers Saturday night at the MSU Dome. The Beavers needed just about every one of them. MSU fought off poor shooting, a choppy game and a scrappy Trojans team to take an 85-71 Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball win.

SURGE SECURES CRITICAL MSU WIN
A change of venue was just what Minot State University needed. The Beavers' junior guard Mister Carney scored 16 points on 3 of 4 3-point shooting and the Beavers out-scored Valley City State 49-35 in the second half to take an 87-73 win in Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball Sunday at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.

JIMMIES WEATHER MSU COMEBACK
Jamestown College seemed to have things well in hand. Late in the second half, the Jimmies built a 14-point lead and were looking to cruise past homestanding Minot State University. It got a little to close for comfort for JC head coach Jeff Trumbauer down the stretch, but after two MSU 3-point attempts at a tie bounced off, he was happy with a hard-fought road win.

BANK BEATS BEAVERS
Black Hills State head coach Paul Sather felt his guys simply made a play. Down by a point with the clock winding down, BHSU's Travis Haney got the ball at the top of the key and promptly banked home a game winner.

BEAVERS SUFFOCATE HARDROCKERS
Welcome back Mr. DeWitty. Minot State University senior CJ DeWitty made the most of his 2008-09 home opener and the Beavers fed off if it. DeWitty scored 23 points and anchored MSU's defense that held No. 21 ranked South Dakota Mines to 45 percent shooting on just 47 shots and 59 points in a 69-59 Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball game Friday at the MSU Dome.

SCHAUER FEATURED IN MINOT DAILY NEWS

DOWN GOES FRASER AT HANDS OF MSU
Minot State University jumped out to a 12-0 first quarter lead and never looked back as the Beavers beat Fraser Valley 85-58 to take fifth place at the Wesmen Classic in nonconference NAIA men's basketball Tuesday.

BEAVERS REBOUND AT WESMAN CLASSIC
Minot State University's Aaron Patterson scored 21 points, dished out seven assists and pulled down six rebounds to lead MSU to a 76-72 win over the University of Saskatchewan at the Wesman Classic Monday.

BEAVERS BETTER IN SECOND HALF
Minot State University is beginning to look like a second half team. While the Beavers would like to put together a full 40 minutes, being able to turn it on for stretches has been enough as of late. "We need to start off like we did in the second half at the start of the game," MSU junior forward Kenneth McCoy said. "We basically have been a second half team." McCoy was a big reason the Beavers made a second-half run as he finished with a team-high 20 points and added six rebounds and five steals to pace MSU to a 97-85 win over Montana Tech in nonconference NAIA men's basketball Friday at the MSU Dome.

PATTERSON EARNS DAC HONOR
Minot State University's Aaron Patterson was named Dakota Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week following a pair of nonconference wins last week.

Patterson, a senior guard from Freemont, Calif., scored 58 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out three assists in the Beavers' wins. He was 18 of 30 from the field and 5 of 10 on 3-pointers while connecting on all 17 of his free throw attempts.

BEAVERS EARN IMPRESSIVE WIN
It was less than a month ago when Minot State University was handed a 28-point loss at Rocky Mountain College (Mont.) After Saturday's impressive 90-85 win at the MSU Dome, it might seem like it was much longer ago than that.

BEAVERS BLOW OUT BRANDON
Minot State University's Bojan Janjic's line basically tells the story. The sophomore did a little bit of everything well as he scored 16 points, added seven assists, six rebounds and five steals.

The Beavers, in turn, also did a little bit of everything as they handed Brandon (Man.) University a 104-85 loss in nonconference men's basketball Monday at the MSU Dome. The Beavers ended a three game losing streak.

BLUE HAWKS STIFLE MSU
Dickinson State wasn't exactly on fire Saturday night the Minot State University Dome.But compared to Minot State, it certainly looked that way.

The Blue Hawks used solid defense and MSU struggled to find any offensive rhythm for the third consecutive game as DSU won 68-60 in the Dakota Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

McCOY LIFTS BEAVERS OVER BRANDON
Kenneth McCoy had 20 points and 17 rebounds and Minot State University made 23 of 26 free throws to outlast Brandon, Man. 76-62 in NAIA men's basketball Monday. Mister Carney added 20 points and six boards, while Aaron Patterson put in 10 points for the Beavers, who shot 24 of 68 from the field and 5 of 23 from beyond the 3-point line.

"As fun as it was for a while (Sunday) it was that ugly (Monday)," MSU head coach Mike Hultz said. "We were a very tired team that found a way to win. Kenneth McCoy was a warrior. There were 48 foul shots taken and there could've been 100. They mauled us around the basket and we mauled them in the open court."

Brandon shot 23 of 63 from the field and 15 of 21 from the free-throw line.

MSU SHOOTS LIGHTS OUT
Beavers score 69 second-half points to pull away from Northern.

BEAVERS GETTING INTO COMFORT ZONE
Minot State University's men's basketball team looks more comfortable on the floor than it did two weeks ago. Top to bottom, the team seems like its settling in, from schematics to style to - as junior guard Mister Carney put it - shape.

LIGHTS DOWN MINOT

BEAVERS SLIP PAST ARGOS
The University of Great Falls Argos rallied from a 10-point decifit to take the lead late in the game Friday night, but Minot State converted some key foul shots down the stretch to pull out a 77-73 victory at McLaughlin Center.

BEAVERS OPEN WITH WIN
Minot State kept NCAA Division II University of Minnesota-Crookston off balance, forcing 19 first-half turnovers in a 83-70 nonconference men's basketball game Monday at the MSU Dome.

BEAVERS START AT NO. 18
The Minot State University women's and men's basketball teams start the season as ranked teams as the women start at No. 13 and the men No. 18 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll released Monday.

MSU'S MARTINEZ HAPPY BASKETBALL IS BACK IN HIS LIFE
Minot State University senior Ricky Martinez had made the decision that he was done with his basketball career. While the decision was a tough one, it only made sense.

MSU SLIGHT FAVORITE IN DAC PRESEASON POLL
Minot State edged Valley City State for the top spot in the 2008-09 Dakota Athletic Conference Preseason Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll. The Beavers picked up five first place ballots to top the rankings. MSU returns a pair of second team All DAC selections in senior guard C.J. DeWitty (15.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists) and senior forward Aaron Patterson (15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds).

BEAVERS WIN PRESEASON OPENER
Aaron Patterson had 27 points on 9-of-15 shooting and Minot State outscored Regina 28-20 in the fourth quarter to come away with a 95-88 win in preseason college basketball Wednesday.

MSU IS HOPING FOR ANOTHER HOLLYWOOD FINISH
Minot State University senior guard CJ DeWitty feels fans should get their money's worth from watching this season's squad.

CENTURY POINT TO MSU
The Minot State University Men’s Basketball program announces that Evan Kendall has signed a letter of intent to pursue the remainder of his intercollegiate basketball career at Minot State University. Kendall, a 5'8" point guard, comes from Bismarck, ND

Kendall played his high school career at Bismarck Century High School. This past season Kendall averaged 10.5 points per game while shooting 37 percent from three-point range. Kendall added 3 assists per game and was second in the WDA in steals with 50.

Head Coach Mike Hultz had these comments: “It is great to have Evan join our program. He is a spark-plug. His attitude will add a lot to the team. ”

BEAVERS SIGN TEXAS BIG MAN
The Minot State University Men’s Basketball program announces that Kenneth McCoy has signed a letter of intent to pursue the remainder of his intercollegiate basketball career at Minot State University. McCoy, a 6'6", 225 pound forward, comes from Stuttgart, AR.

McCoy finished his junior college career this past season at Ranger College in Ranger, TX. During his sophomore season he averaged 18 points and 7 rebounds per game and earned First-team All-Conference honors.

As a senior in high school, McCoy led Stuttgart High School to its first playoff appearance in ten years. Before moving to Stuttgart, McCoy was part of Cedar Hill High School’s (TX) first ever appearance in the Texas State Championship.

McCoy excelled in other sports as well as he participated in the Arkansas State Track Meet in the 400 meter run and was part of a third- place mile relay team. As a junior he was an all-conference Tight End at Cedar Hill.

Head Coach Mike Hultz had these comments: “Kenneth comes from a very good conference - the same conference we got C.J. DeWitty from. We feel to win at the national tournament we need to be stronger and more athletic around the basket. Kenneth is a big-time athlete! He can run, jump and is pure muscle. He is a warrior and a battler so we feel we got a good one in Kenneth.”

MSU INKS JUCO GUARD
The Minot State University Men's Basketball program announces that Mister Carney has signed a letter of intent to pursue the remainder of his intercollegiate basketball career at Minot State University. Carney, a 6'1" guard, comes from Tulsa, OK.

HEITKAMP TO ATTEND MINOT STATE
The Minot State University men's basketball team has added local prep standout Gary Heitkamp to its list of recruits for the 2008-09 season.

BEAVERS RUN FALLS SHORT
Minot State battled No. 5 seed Northwestern College (Iowa) for much of the game, but the Red Raiders fended off repeated Beavers' runs in a 97-90 win in the first round of the 2008 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament at Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks.

MSU MEN PLACE 4 ON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Minot State University Men have place four players on the Dakota Athletic Conference All-Conference Team for the 2007-08 season. Matt Witwer, a 6'5' Senior from Minot, ND was named to the first team, CJ DeWitty, a 6'0 Junior from Austin, TX, and Aaron Patterson, 6'4" Junior from Freemont, CA, to the second team, and Joe Gathings, a 6'1" Senior from Chicago, IL was named to the third team. Witwer averaged 17 points, 6 rebounds per game, Patterson averaged 16 point per game, DeWitty averaged 15 points and 6 assists per game and led the DAC in steal per game (2), while Gathings averaged 14 points and 2.4 assists per game.

BRANSON BOUND
Minot State University's C.J. DeWitty had the option of shooting the final shot or kicking it out after a drive. After seeing him wipe his shoes during the inbounds pass with 11.7 seconds remaining and the game tied at 85, there wasn't much question to what he was going to do.

BEAVERS RUN PAST VIKINGS
The Minot State University men's basketball team played perfect basketball for nearly 35 minutes in Wednesday's Dakota Athletic Conference playoff semifinal

MSU SURVIVES SCARE
In the past three games, Minot State University men's basketball team had to rally from late deficits. Beavers head coach Mike Hultz felt that would benefit his team in the tight games in the playoffs. It certainly seemed to in Sunday's first round.

BEAVERS OUTLAST BLUE HAWKS
There is nothing like a little drama to end the regular season.

Minot State University's Matt Witwer nailed a 3-pointer from the left wing with 8.6 seconds to go in regulation to force overtime. Beavers guard C.J. DeWitty sealed the win in overtime with a three-point play with 14.1 seconds remaining as MSU rallied late for an 89-86 overtime win over Dickinson State in Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball Wednesday at the MSU Dome

MSU FENDS OFF DAKOTA STATE
Minot State University built a big second-half lead, lost it, and then regained a cushion down the stretch in an 88-80 win in Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball Saturday.

BEAVERS RALLY FOR HUGE ROAD WIN
Minot State University's men's basketball team went on a 30-18 run to finish the game and rally past Mayville State 95-92 in a key Dakota Athletic Conference win for the Beavers Friday.

JAMESTOWN PULLS AWAY
About midway through the second half, Minot State University needed a stop. It never came.

Jamestown College scored virtually the entire night and got big shots when it needed them as the Jimmies pulled away from the Beavers in an 88-67 win in Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball Friday at the MSU Dome.

BEAVERS BLOW OUT VIKINGS
Minot State University's hot first half shooting carved up one of the top defenses in the country. The Beavers scorched the nets to the tune of 53 percent from the floor and 7 of 10 shooting on 3-pointers to build a 48-37 lead. Then the Beavers defense made a stand of its own.

MSU held No. 12 Valley City State to just two field goals over the first 10 minutes of the second half and the Beavers powered their way to their second win over VCSU 87-68 in Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball Friday at the MSU Dome.

BEAVERS SWEEP WEEKEND
Things looked a little precarious for Minot State University. On the bench was starting point guard C.J. DeWitty with two fouls and shooting guard Joe Gathings after being poked in the eye. The Beavers were clinging to a 28-25 lead. In comes Stan Schauer. Schauer hit two big 3-pointers, ran the MSU offense and played solid defense during a key stretch in the first half, turning the three-point lead into a 38-29 lead.

BEAVERS CAN'T REBOUND; BHSU DOES
The Minot State University men's basketball team was hoping to rebound from a disappointing loss Friday to South Dakota Mines. Instead, Black Hills State used the rebound � more specifically the offensive rebound � to derail the Beavers.

MINOT STATE DEFENSE FALTERS
This wasn't what Minot State University's men's basketball team wanted to capitalize on momentum. MSU struggled on defense and South Dakota Mines shot 60.8 percent from the floor in the second half as the Hardrockers upset the Beavers 87-86 in Dakota Athletic Conference basketball Friday at Kings Center

BEAVERS HANG ON FOR HUGE VICTORY
Minot State University's free throw shooting kept Calvin Kraft and his No. 15-ranked Valley City State team at bay.

BEAVERS RISE TO THE CHALLENGE
The Minot State University men's basketball team answered every question Mayville State threw at it in the second half.

MSU PULLS AWAY FROM TROJANS
It certainly wasn't the prettiest game played at the Minot State University Dome. But Minot State University will take it.

The Beavers got a solid game from starter Aaron Patterson and key minutes from reserve Stan Schauer to run their record in the Dakota Athletic Conference to 2-0 with a 90-67 win over Dakota State in Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball Friday.

MSU REBOUNDS FOR WIN
Maybe the Minot State University men's basketball team hit the snooze button on its game-time alarm.

MSU DROP TITLE GAME
WITWER, PATTERSON NAMED ALL-TOURNAMENT
The Brock Badgers captured their third Wesmen Classic Championship in five years with a convincing 98- 88 victory over the Minot State University Beavers in front of 1400 spectators at the Duckworth Centre Sunday night. Mike Muir led the Badgers with 21 points. Six other Brock players scored in double digits including Mike Kemp with 19 points, Owen White with 18 and Brad Rootes with 15 points to go along with 15 assists. Aaron Patterson led Minot State with a game high 24 points followed by Andy Leraas with19 points. The Badgers had control of the game leading 51- 36 going into the halftime break. Brock continued their fast paced offense and were able to hold off a late charge by the Beavers to secure the win.

Tournament All-Stars
Ross Bekkering - Calgary
Erfan Nasajpour - Winnipeg
Matt Witwer - Minot State
Aaron Patterson - Minot State
Brad Rootes - Brock

BEAVERS RUN PAST WESMAN
WINNIPEG � The Minot State University men's basketball team shot out to a big lead and continued to pull away, defeating Winnipeg Wesmen 77-53 Saturday in the Wesmen Classic.

�We jumped out 14-3 in the first minutes of the game,� MSU head coach Mike Hultz said. �From there, we pretty much kept control of the game.�

Matt Witwer led all scorers with 20 points and Aaron Patterson added 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Jessie Ford joined Patterson with 11 boards as the Beavers thrashed Wesmen on the boards with 22 offensive rebounds.

MSU held Wesmen's top scorer, Erfan Nasajpour, to just nine points.

�We held him to nine and he got in foul trouble,� Hultz said. �That was a big factor.�

Andy Leraas came off the bench to score nine points for MSU.

The Beavers play in the Wesmen Classic championship against Brock at 8 p.m. - Courtesy of the Minot Daily News

MSU WINS OPENER IN WINNIPEG TOURNEY
WINNIPEG � Minot State University's Matt Witwer finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds, five assist and three steals to pace the Beavers to a 80-70 win in nonconference men's basketball at the first round of the Wesmen Classic here Friday.

�Wit had a fantastic first half. I think he scored about 20 and I don't think he missed a shot,� MSU head coach Mike Hultz said. �He and Aaron Patterson finished with seven offensive rebounds and we had 21 as a team. I was pretty happy with how we played.�

The game was played under FIBA rules with both an eight-second back court violation and a 24-second shot clock in effect. Both factors were important to Hultz's overall satisfaction.

�It is tough because they pressed us the entire second half and then fell back into a zone,� he said. �We did a good job of attacking the press and then setting up against the zone.�

Patterson added 20 points and Joe Gathings finished with 12 points and four assists. As a team, the Beavers had 18 total assists and shot 42.9 percent, while holding the Bisons to just 39.7 percent shooting for the game.

�We got good minutes from Mitch Mayer (four points, four rebounds),� Hultz said. �Milan (Cvetkovic) didn't make the trip because of a bad back and Jessie (Ford) got into foul trouble. Mitch stepped in and did a good job.�

The Beavers will take on host Winnipeg in one semifinal tonight at 6 p.m. MSU is setting up an audio link on its Website (www.msubeavers.com) to get a play-by-play of the game.

�It should be a good one,� Hultz said. �This tournament is a pretty big deal. There are four ranked teams in the bracket. There should be close to 3,500 people at the game. We are looking forward to this one.� - Courtesy of the Minot Daily News

BEAVERS FALL SHORT
Minot State University's comeback was derailed by two crucial offensive rebounds. Rocky Mountain Article

BEAVERS GRIND OUT WIN
GATHINGS, WITWER KEEP MONTANA-WESTERN IN CHECK
Joe Gathings and Matt Witwer teamed up to help Minot State University continue dominating its series with the University of Montana-Western.

The two combined for 31 points as the Beavers defeated Montana-Western 67-59 in an NAIA non-conference men's basketball game Wednesday night at the Minot State University Dome. Montana-Western Article

BISON OUTMUSCLES MINOT STATE
There is definitely a difference between the level at NCAA Division I North Dakota State and Minot State University.

It isn't one glaring one, however. But of all the advantages the Bison have, the most glaring is strength. NDSU Article

KEY INJURY, POOR SHOOTING SINK BEAVERS
When Milan Cvetkovic left the court so did Minot State University's chance of winning Saturday's non-conference men's college basketball game against Montana State-Northern.

Cvetkovic exited with an apparent right ankle injury early in the second half and the Lights immediately went on an 11-2 run that helped them to an 85-73 victory at the Minot State University Dome. MSU-Northern Article

BEAVERS FIGHT BACK FROM DEFICIT TO UPEND GREAT FALLS
Minot State University is built to score points. The team has reached the 80s in every game this season. But it was a solid defensive effort, including two huge stops in the final 11.3 seconds that made the difference Friday. Great Falls Article

BEAVERS DROP HEARTBREAKER
Minot State lost it's home opener Sunday night, on a 3 by Dany Charlery with .8 seconds to play. Minot led throughtout most of the game before a Hartman three with just under 40 seconds to play. Minot then tied it with two Dewitty free throws, before the buzzer beater. Minot was led in scoring by Aaron Patterson with 22. CJ Dewitty also had 18, Joe Gathings 15, Matt Witwer 14, and Jessie Ford 11. Minot goes on the road this weekend as they travel to Great Falls and Havre to square off Friday and Saturday.