Box Score
BISMARCK, N.D. – Minot State University men's basketball has talked about baby steps during its provisional season.
The Beavers took a giant step Tuesday.
Minot State had four players in double figures and outscored the University of Mary 9-5 in the second overtime to earn a 92-88 win over the Marauders in NCAA Division II men's basketball at the McDowell Activity Center.
“I can't think of a better result for our team. I am so proud of the kids,” said MSU head coach Peter Stewart. “When you get beat, it wears on you. The kids came out and preserved in a tough game. I am proud of the team all the way around.”
Minot State (1-4 overall) just about didn't get into the overtime session as U-Mary (1-2) outscored the Beavers 41-34 in the second half to erase a seven-point halftime lead. MSU sent the game into overtime on a
Chris East (So., G, Toronto, Ontario) 3-pointer with just 4.1 seconds remaining in the second half.
MSU blistered the nets early in the second overtime, taking a pair of six-point leads. MSU pushed a 71-71 lead after regulation to 79-73 on a 3-pointer by
Thomas Korf (R-Fr., F, St. Cloud, Minn.) and took an 81-75 lead on an offensive rebound putback by
Jonas Pollard (Sr., G, Mesa, Ariz.).
But Mary battled back to tie the game at 83 with a basket by Damon Smith with just 5.6 seconds in the first overtime.
With both teams battling foul trouble, MSU certainly didn't have its usual lineup playing in the second overtime, but got great minutes from reserves
Matt Yale (R-Fr., G, Berthold, N.D.),
Easton Page (Fr., G, Carrington, N.D.) and
Viktor Henricksson (Fr., G, Uppsala, Sweden) to hold off Mary. Yale hit a free throw in the second overtime to seal the win, giving MSU a 92-87 lead with 20.5 seconds remaining.
“Yeah, it wasn't the group that we draw up in there at the end,” Stewart said. “I thought our young guys played real well. There was a time when we did an ISO for two redshirts, Korf and Randall (
Adam Randall, R-Fr., G, Steele, N.D.) and they go back and forth with five or so passes before Adam knocks down a shot. That's fun to watch.”
Randall played arguably his best game as a Beaver, scoring 18 points and pulling down seven rebounds, including five on the offensive side. MSU was led in scoring by
Josh Johnson (Jr., F, Lufkin, Texas) and Pollard who scored 22 apiece.
“We have asked Jonas to do just about everything except mow the lawn and he has done it,” said Stewart.
U-Mary got 23 from Darius Robinson to pace four players in double figures. Smith scored 16 points and pulled down nine rebounds, Josh Turner hit for 14 points and Alex Dorr finished with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.
MSU's
Yonas Behre (Jr., G, Toronto, Ontario) chipped in with 16 points, three assists and two steals. Johnson had 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks for the Beavers, while Korf ended with seven points.
“Our crowd down here was outstanding,” Stewart said. “It was a difference maker to have that much support on the road in overtime. It was a great job by the people getting it together and great job for our students to make the trip.”
MSU travels to Bemidji State for the InnKeepers Classic playing host Bemidji Friday at 7 p.m. and Southwest Minnesota State Saturday.
