Kari Gibb/MDN MSU junior Caleb Van De Griend (50) in action earlier this year, led the Beavers to wins on the road this weekend in South Dakota against the South Dakota Mines and the Black Hills State University.

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Minot State University (MSU) came away perfect after winning both games in the South Dakota road trip as they defeated the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets by a final score of 71-64 on Saturday, November 30.

Caleb Van De Griend secured a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds in the win. In addition to Van De Griend’s strong showing, the Beavers (9-0) were led by Jalen Cook, who had 15 points. Jaxon Gunville came up with some big shots late to give the Beavers a boost as he added 13 points and two steals.

“We showed some toughness against a good team on the road. I loved our defensive effort,” said Murken. “Jaxon Gunville had a tremendous game on the defensive end and hit some clutch shots for us. That is a tough road sweep.”

After playing to an 11-11 tie, MSU went on a 15-0 run with 13:36 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Van De Griend, to take a 26-11 lead. The Beavers then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 39-33 advantage.

MSU got a great contribution from its bench in the first half, as non-starters accounted for ten of its 39 total points.

The Yellow Jackets proceeded to tie things up at 53-53 before MSU went on a 14-0 run to seize a 67-53 lead with 4:59 to go in the contest. The Yellow Jackets narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Beavers still cruised the rest of the way for the 71-64 win.

The Beavers shot well from three point range, knocking down seven of 17 long range attempts. MSU never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.

MSU Men 63, South Dakota Mines 56

Van De Griend notched a double-double to help the MSU men’s basketball team defeat the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers 63-56 on the road Friday, November 29.

The Beavers had two players score in double figures, with Van De Griend putting together a double-double of 28 points and 11 rebounds. Jalen Cook added 16 points and Sam West recorded six points.

Led by Van De Griend’s 6 offensive rebounds, Minot State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 10 boards that resulted in 23 second chance points.

The MSU defense caused its share of mistakes in Friday’s game, forcing 14 South Dakota Mines turnovers while committing ten. Those takeaways turned into 20 points on the offensive end of the floor. Daryl Rice Jr led the way individually for the Beavers with four steals, who stood out in head coach Matt Murken’s eyes from a defensive standpoint.

“Tonight was a grind it out win. That’s our first true road game so it’s great to see the guys battle and find a way to win,” said Murken. “Daryl Rice had a great game for us and really set the tone for us defensively. Good teams have great Senior leadership, and Daryl did that for us tonight.”

Nothing came easy in the gritty style of game where the Beavers were able to pull away late after a great start shooting by the Rockers.

After falling behind 14-6, MSU went on an 8-0 run with 14:04 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Jaden Wysocki to tie the game at 14. South Dakota Mines then pulled ahead, sending the Beavers into halftime down 29-28.

South Dakota Mines kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 33-30 advantage before Minot State went on an 8-0 run to seize a 38-33 lead with 16:22 to go in the contest. The Beavers kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 63-56 win. MSU capitalized on seven South Dakota Mines turnovers in the frame, collecting 14 points off those turnovers.