Box Score SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minot State University's comeback fell just short

Minot State gave up a quick second half run and was never able to regain the lead despite a furious push in the final five minutes losing 71-65 to the University of Sioux Falls in nonconference men's basketball Saturday at the Stewart Center.

The Cougars (16-8 overall) made just enough free throws to fend off a big rally by the Beavers late in the game. MSU got a pair of 3-pointers from Matt Yale (R-Fr., G, Berthold, N.D.) and a third triple from Josh Johnson (Jr., F, Lufkin, Texas) but couldn't close the gap to fewer than two points.

The Beavers (3-21) took a four-point lead into the halftime break, but Sioux Falls erased that and went on a 15-5 run over the first six minutes of the second half. The lead reached seven on a 3-pointer by Breston McNeal with 11:31 to play in the second. Until the late Minot State rally, the USF lead hovered around six points.

Free throw shooting was a key in the game as both teams shot in the mid 70s, but Sioux Falls outscored Minot State 24-14 from the line. USF finished the game going 24 for 31 from the charity stripe.

Skyler Bloch paced the Cougars with 26 points, hitting 8 for 10 from the line, and pulled down seven rebounds. McNeal added 11 points and A.J. Holland scored 10 points, hitting 8-of-10 from the charity stripe as well.

Johnson finished with 19 points for the Beavers, hitting four 3-pointers and 5-of-8 free throws. Yale scored 17 points, knocking down two triples. Thomas Korf (R-Fr., F, St. Cloud, Minn.) added three 3-pointers and 13 points for MSU. Chris East (So., G, Toronto, Ontario) had a monster night on the boards, pulling down 12 rebounds to go along with seven points and three blocked shots. East had half of the Beavers 24 rebounds.

MSU moves on to next week's Vegas D2 Showdown in Las Vegas, Nev., for a pair of tournament games.