Megan Topping/MDN MSU graduate student Daryl Rice Jr. (2) brings the ball down the court against Bemidji State in NSIC action on Saturday, December 7, at the Dome.

It was a ‘Battle of the Beavers’ that did not disappoint as Minot State University (MSU) had the last laugh in an 81-79 win over the Bemidji State Beavers at home Saturday, December 7, in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play.

Caleb Van De Griend collected 21 points in the win. He also added 9 rebounds to his 21-point game to lead the Beavers (11-0, 3-0 NSIC). Sam West helped out with ten points and three steals, while Jalen Cook picked up ten points himself and Jaxon Gunville chipped in with 14 points and two steals.

Ayouba Berthe got himself a huge stop on defense, securing the game-winning block on a three-point attempt from Bemidji to end it.

The MSU offense was very productive from three-point land, knocking down 8 threes on 18 attempts. Gunville was the most prolific shooter for the Beavers, draining 4 treys in the contest.

‘Defend the Dome’ was a success, as MSU was able to find a way late. Gunville and the Beavers (Minot) have seen how much a win like this shows what the team is capable of.

“I want to give credit to Bemidji. They are a tough-nosed team every time we play them. They are one of the more physical teams in the league and they never go away easy…I think it just shows how much we are willing to fight when things go south,” Gunville said.

It indeed was a testament to that in the final possession when Berthe had the big block.

“I just saw five guys active on defense and playing together. I think that is the biggest thing about our team this year is that we got guys who are willing to play for each other. No matter who’s got it going on any given night, the best thing to me about our team is that we are willing to play together,” said Gunville.

MSU forced 17 Bemidji State turnovers while committing 10 themselves in Saturday’s game. The Beavers turned those takeaways into 20 points on the offensive end of the floor. West’s 3 steals led the way for Minot State.

After jumping out to an 8-6 advantage, MSU went on a 7-0 run with 16:45 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Van De Griend, to increase its lead to 15-6. The Beavers then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 46-40 advantage. Minot State did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 26 of its 46 points close to the basket.

Bemidji State proceeded to take a 68-67 lead before MSU went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Gunville’s three, to seize a 72-68 lead with 5:57 to go in the contest. The Beavers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Beavers still held on for the 81-79 win. Minot State capitalized on 8 Bemidji State turnovers in the frame, collecting 11 points off those turnovers.

MSU 91, St. Cloud State 58

The MSU men’s basketball team held St. Cloud State to just 13 percent from beyond the arc in a 3-for-23 shooting performance on the way to a 91-58 victory over the Huskies at home Friday, December 6.

The Beavers (10-0, 2-0) had four players score in double figures, led by Caleb Van De Griend, who had a double-double with 18 points and ten rebounds. Jaxon Gunville added 15 points and Jalen Cook chipped in as well with 15 points and two blocks.

The starting unit continues to be a strength for MSU as four of the five starters hit double digits in total points. Cook, who was one of them, knows how important the depth is and the challenge it poses for the competition.

“I think it’s been really important. I feel like, if we could, we could start 6 or 7 guys but we can’t. I think we do a great job of spreading the wealth. Everyone gets their shots and everyone’s taking good shots and the box score shows that,” said Cook. “We came out locked in and we kept that same energy the whole game.”

That such is the case when MSU out-rebounded St. Cloud State 42-24 in Friday’s game, paced by Van De Griend’s 10 boards. The Beavers also pulled down 13 offensive rebounds and scored 11 second chance points.

Minot State did a great job disrupting St. Cloud State shots in the contest, coming away with 6 blocks. Van De Griend’s 3 rejections led the way individually for the Beavers.