WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Minot State University went on a 8-0 run to end the game to hold off Brandon University (Manitoba) and end a three-game losing skid as MSU earned a 74-65 nonconference men's basketball win in a consolation semifinal at the University of Winnipeg Wesmen Classic played at the Duckworth Centre.

“We did some things well, some things better,” said MSU head coach Peter Stewart. “The shooting percentage went up, we won the rebounding battle. We have some guys getting experience that aren't in our normal rotation and that's important.”

MSU only had eight players dress in the game and played without Kelvin Fraser (Jr., F, Brooklyn, N.Y.) at stretch in the game due to an ankle injury.

“We called them the 'Elite 8' but it might be only the 'Super 7' if Kelvin can't play,” added Stewart.

The Beavers (5-9) will play against McMaster University (Ontario) at noon in what will be called a "Consolation Game." McMaster lost to Jamestown College in the second consolation semifinal, but it was determined that MSU and JC would not play for fifth as both teams play in the Dakota Athletic Conference. MSU upped its record to 9-5 at the Classic.

After a slow start, the Beavers led much of the way and held a nearly double-digit lead most of the final three quarters. MSU pushed from a 22-21 deficit to a 30-24 lead early in the second quarter behind a Shawn Storseth (Jr., F, Burlington, N.D.). Storseth had a great outing for the Beavers, scoring a game-high 18 points along with pulling down 12 rebounds.

“Shawn is a great kid. It's funny because we do certain things in our script and Shawn is working into more and more sets,” Stewart said. “He's stepping into a role. It is fun to watch because he works so hard for it.”

While Storseth had a big game inside, Jason West (Sr., G, Lompoc, Calif.) was the playmaker on the outside. West finished just shy of a triple-double, scoring 12 points, pulling down 12 rebounds and dishing out seven assists.

“We got the bulk of our rebounds from really two kids, Shawn and Jason,” Stewart said. “West played good and that's a good sign for us.”

The game was much closer than a 20-plus blowout at Minot a month ago as MSU couldn't shake the Bobcats. MSU led 60-50 on a 3-pointer by Nathaniel Packineau (Sr., G, Parshall, N.D.) just before the third quarter came to an end and led 65-56 on a 3 by West off the feed from Storseth, but Brandon made a run.

The Bobcats (4-6), looked to tied the game at 66, but O'Brian Wallace was ruled to have stepped on the line during a 3-pointer, leaving the Beavers ahead by one. MSU responded with the final run, capped by a 3-pointer by Anthony Enriquez (Jr., G, Tacoma, Wash.) to five the game its final score with 1:21 to play.

“We competed really well. In order to be successful, we have to compete. We had guys diving on the floor and boxing out,” Stewart said. “Wins are wins. We came here to get better and we have some guys getting experience.”

The Bobcats were paced by 15 points by Jordan Reaves. Kyle Vince added 11 points and Wallace finished with nine points and a team-high 11 rebounds for Brandon.

Packineau was sharp from beyond the arc, hitting four 3-pointers and 14 total points. He added five rebounds and four assists. Jonas Pollard (Jr., G, Mesa, Ariz.) scored nine points and Fraser added seven for the Beavers.