DICKINSON, N.D. – Minot State University built a 36-32 halftime lead and never relinquished it as the No. 5 seeded Beavers upset No. 4 Dickinson State on the road 75-57 during first round action in the Dakota Athletic Conference men's basketball postseason tournament Wednesday at Scott Gymnasium.

The Blue Hawks cut the lead to two points once in the second half at 49-47 and twice cut it two four points, the final time with just over five minutes to play in the game. The Beavers, however, had an answer for everything DSU dished out.

The latter's answer was a big 3-pointer by senior Bojan Janjic (G, Kikinda, Serbia) with 5:10 to go in the second half to stretch the Beavers' lead back to 60-53. MSU got an Anthony Enriquez (Jr., G, Tacoma, Wash.) driving layup and, after a basket by Dickinson, got a hoop by Kalvin Fraser (Jr., F, Brookly, N.Y.) and two free throws by Janjic to push the lead to double figures.

The Beavers (13-16 overall) came out ready in the first half, knocking down 7 of 13 3s to help themselves to the halftime lead. MSU finished the game going 10 of 20 from beyond the arc.

Dickinson State (16-13) hit only five 3s in the game and went just 12 of 18 from the free throw line. In two previous games against the Beavers – both Blue Hawk wins – Dickinson shot a combined 79 free throws. Leading scorer Nathan Lebsock, who normally lives at the line, went 0-for-1 from the charity stripe and was held to seven points under his season average of 21 per game.

MSU wasn't great from the line, hitting 13 of 21, but did get a 7-for-8 performance from senior Nathaniel Packineau (G, Parshall, N.D.). Packineau led all scorers with 19 points, hitting 4 of 8 3s.

The Blue Hawks got 14 points and nine rebounds from Matt Lee and 10 points and seven rebounds from Tevin Hurd to go along with Lebsock's 14. DiSU only had six players score in the game.

MSU, on the other hand, had great balance and finished with five players in double figures. Along with Packineau, Janjic scored 15 points, Enriquez 13 and Kal Bay (Sr., G, Chandler, Ariz.) and Fraser scored 10 each. Enriquez led the team with seven rebounds and Janjic pitched in with six.

The Beavers will continue in the DAC playoffs on the road as they travel to top seed and No. 5 ranked Black Hills State Sunday for a semifinal matchup.