Kari Gibb/MDN MSU junior Ayouba Berthe (20) preps for a free throw while senior teammate Jalen Cook (21) watches in the background. The Beavers hosted the University of Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, January 25, at the MSU Dome.

The Minot State University (MSU) men’s basketball team hosted the University of Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, January 25, and fought through a physical contest for the 75-68 win.

Caleb Van De Griend notched a double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds to help the MSU men’s basketball team defeat the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. The Beavers (20-3, 11-3) had four players score in double figures. Ayouba Berthe added 19 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while Jaxon Gunville helped out with 17 points.

Sam West contributed 14 points in a physical back-and-forth contest, one where the Beavers were able to pull away in a messy flow of the game.

“We came together at the end. There were lots of ups and downs throughout the game. Lots of lead changes, but we stuck together, we knew our stuff and I got to give credit to our guys and our coaching staff,” said West.

MSU pulled down 37 rebounds in Saturday’s game compared to Minnesota-Duluth’s 33, led by Van De Griend’s 15 boards.

After falling behind 2-0, MSU went on an 11-0 run with 19:32 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Sam West, to take an 11-2 lead. The Beavers then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 41-38.

After intermission, MSU kept the Bulldogs from increasing their lead before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Van De Griend’s layup, to seize a 52-49 lead with 10:53 to go in the contest. The Beavers kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the win.

MSU Men’s Basketball 92, Concordia St. Paul 78

The MSU men’s basketball team saw all five starters score in double figures and knocked off the Concordia-Saint Paul Golden Bears at home Friday, January 24. It was also a strong shooting night as the Beavers seemed at times felt like they could not miss.

The Beavers had five players score in double figures, led by Caleb Van De Griend, who had 23 points and eight rebounds. Jalen Cook tacked on 19 points and Jaxon Gunville chipped in as well with 14 points and two steals.

MSU did a stellar job taking care of the basketball, dishing out 13 assists while turning the ball over six times. Individually, Trey Brandt was on top of the distribution list for the Beavers with three assists.

Ayouba Berthe also found himself with 14 points but more importantly was tasked with guarding CSP’s best in Antwan Kimmons. He and the Beavers had themselves a good night.

“It felt great. After going on that three-game losing streak, we had to pick it back up. The whole team came together, and we had to go back to where we were preseason…get back on the winning track. And this was a good team that we just played, so that was a big win for us,” said Berthe.

After jumping out to a 21-18 advantage, MSU went on a 7-0 run with 11:28 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Sam West, to increase its lead to 28-18. The Beavers then lost some of that lead but still entered halftime with a 46-38 advantage.

MSU kept its lead intact before going on a 10-0 run, finished off by Gunville’s three, to grow the lead to 83-66 with 5:41 to go in the contest. The Golden Bears narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Beavers still cruised the rest of the way for the 92-78 win.