Box Score LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Minot State University's scoring problems followed them to the desert.

MSU shot just 8 for 32 from the floor in the first half and just 34.8 for the game.

McKendree University, on the other hand, hit to defeat the Beavers 91-70 in nonconference NCAA Division II men's basketball Sunday at the D2 Vegas Showdown played at the Centennial Hills Community Center.

The Bearcats led by as many as 25 in the second half but the Beavers battled back. MSU cut the lead to 13 after a Chris East (So., G, Toronto, Ontario) rebound putback with 4:28 to play.

But McKendree responded by scoring six of the game's next eight points to stretch it back to an 18-point lead at 83-65.

McKendree (17-12 overall) put four players in double figures, led by Kyle Heckert's game-high 25. David Ruckman finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while John Steppe and Karrington Pettiford added 13 apiece. Sean Rackers also finished with 10 rebounds for the Bearcats.

East and Thomas Korf (R-Fr., F, St. Cloud, Minn.) finished with 17 points apiece to lead  the Beavers. East also had a huge night on the glass as he pulled down a game-high 17 rebounds. Josh Johnson (Jr., F, Lufkin, Texas) added 12 points, while Adam Randall (R-Fr., G, Steele, N.D.) scored 11 points for MSU.

The Beavers (3-23) finish their season next week at the Independent Tournament hosted by Black Hills State in Spearfish, S.D.