MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University had plenty of chances to take down another highly regarded Dakota Athletic Conference opponent.

This time, however, the key shot would not fall for the Beavers.

Jamestown College's Jacquez Williams drained a 3-pointer to give the Jimmies a 72-71 edge with 46.2 seconds to play and MSU could not come up with a game winner as JC won 74-71 in men's college basketball Saturday at the MSU Dome.

“The positive is we played with who I think are the two best teams in the conference (Black Hills State last Saturday and Wednesday's game) and were right in there,” said MSU head coach Peter Stewart. “But, we're not in this for moral victories.

“I didn't think we played very well to be honest. That's what is frustrating. You want to play to your potential and I didn't think we played near to our potential.”

The Beavers (9-13 overall, 3-5 DAC) made a big surge after getting down six with five minutes to play. MSU's Jason West (Sr., G, Lompoc, Calif.) canned two big 3s to even the game at 67 and Anthony Enriquez (Jr., G, Tacoma, Wash.) gave MSU a 70-69 lead with 2:00 to play on another 3.

“I really thought with a couple minutes to play we were in this thing, but we got selfish down the stretch. It's a team game and we have to learn that,” Stewart said.

MSU missed 3 of 4 free throws in the final two minutes and couldn't get a big basket. West had a solid look with six seconds remaining and MSU down by one. After two free throws by the Jimmies, West's desperation 3-pointer lipped off the front of the rim as time expired.

“We got a good shot,” Stewart said of West's shot with six seconds to play. “I didn't have a problem with any of our shots, other that maybe early in the first half. But our defense and our rebounding weren't good.”

The Jimmies (16-5, 5-2), ranked just outside the top 25 in NAIA Division II, jumped out to a 12-point lead in the first half behind solid shooting. The Beavers, however, rallied for a 34-34 tie at halftime. Neither team led by more than six in the second half.

Jamestown had solid balance scoring led by a double-double by Travis Burley, who finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Williams finished with 14, Chris Lawrence added 13 points and five rebounds, and Byron Jones added 10.

MSU got 19 from West, along with six rebounds and three assists. Nathaniel Packineau (Sr., G, Parshall, N.D.) had another solid night for MSU with 17 points, three rebounds and two assists and Kal Bay (Sr., G, Chandler, Ariz.) finished with 11 points. Kelvin Fraser (Jr., F, Brooklyn, N.Y.) grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, added five points, three blocks and two steals.

“Nate had been good lately,” Stewart said. “He has six games left in his career and I hope he continues to get better.”

MSU has a short break before taking on Valley City State Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Dome.

“We will find out what we are made of,” added Stewart.