Box Score
BEMIDJI, Minn. – Minot State University hung around after an early Southwest Minnesota State lead, but couldn't make a significant run in the second half.

The Beavers trailed early and found themselves down by as many as 16 in the second half, but battle the Mustangs most of the night.

Solid foul shooting and 14 offensive boards paced SMSU to a 87-76 win over the Beavers on the second night of the InnKeepers Classic hosted by Bemidji State Saturday at the BSU Gymnasium.

Minot State (1-6 overall) kept cutting the second half lead to 10, but never got it under double figures. Much of the reason was the Mustangs' free throw shooting as Southwest Minnesota hit 32 of 26 freebies, hitting 22 of 25 in the second half.

SMSU (1-2) built a 38-25 lead at halftime mainly behind offensive rebounds and poor overall shooting by Minot State. The Mustangs pulled down seven offensive boards in the first half and held a 43-28 advantage on the glass overall.

MSU hit just seven first-half field goals, shooting 7 for 26 from the floor in the first half.

Five different players hit for double figures for Southwest Minnesota State, paced by 16 by Matt Zager. Tramel Barnes added 15 points and seven rebounds. Vinard Birch scored 14 points, Jordan Miller added 12 and Nick Smith hit for 11 points, pulled down eight rebounds and had four blocked shots.

Josh Johnson (Jr., F, Lufkin, Texas) hit for a game-high 22 points to pace the Beavers. He also finished with 10 rebounds to lead all players and added four blocked shots. Yonas Behre (Jr., G, Toronto, Ontario) had a solid all-around game with 21 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jonas Pollard (Sr., G, Mesa, Ariz.) also scored in double figures with 10 points.

Minot State goes from one tournament to another as the Beavers travel to Alaska to take part in Alaska Anchorage's AT&T Classic next weekend. MSU will also play the nationally ranked Seawolves in a nonconference game Thursday.