Box Score MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University's backcourt combination made the difference down the stretch Saturday.

The Beavers defense made the difference much of the second half.

Anthony Enriquez (Sr., G, Tacoma, Wash.), E.J. Williams (Jr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) and Dominique McDonald (Fr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) all hit key shots late in the game and MISU's defense held another opponent to less than 60 points as the Beavers held off Minnesota Duluth 62-58 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball Saturday at the Minot State Dome.

“Lately we have been in a lot of close basketball games and we're starting to get to that point where if it's close down the stretch, we expect to win,” said MISU head coach Matt Murken. “Our guys just believe they are going to make plays. Tonight it was tied with about two minutes to go and we made enough plays.”

The trio scored the Beavers final 12 points. After a 3-pointer from Adam Randall (So., G, Steele, N.D.) tied the game at 50, the three went to work. McDonald hit a driving layup to tie the game at 52 and Williams, who led the Beavers with 18 points, gave MISU a 54-52 lead on an offensive rebound putback with 3:43 to play. Following a free throw by UMD, Williams scored again on a layup and Enriquez answered a UMD basket with a short jumper at 2:01.

The final two baskets were the two biggest however. After the Bulldogs' Reece Zoelle tied the game at 58 with 3-pointer, McDonald put MISU up for good with a jumper at 1:04. Williams then sealed the win with a runner in the lane to finish the scoring.

 “We talked earlier about when we get the ball moving and it doesn't stay in one spot, then we are pretty hard to guard,” Murken said. “Dominique, E.J., and Anthony all did a great job of playing with the pace of the game and I thought that made them successful tonight.”

Minot State had to overcome a big night from Jake Hottenstine, who scored a game-high 23 points and added seven rebounds, two assists and two steals for UMD (5-13, 3-11). Brett Ervin added 13 points and four rebounds in the loss.

The Beavers defense limited the Bulldogs to just 10 second-half field goals and held UMD to 43 percent shooting after a 14 for 26 effort in the first half. It was the fifth time this season Minot State held a team to less than 60 points and the second time the Beavers held UMD to under 60.

Along with Williams, Enriquez (12 points) and McDonald (11 points) both reached double figures. McDonald added three assists, while Enriquez pulled down a team0high seven rebounds. Kelvin Fraser (Sr., F, Brooklyn, N.Y.) added eight points, a three rebounds and two blocks for Minot State.

The Beavers are back in action at the MSU Dome Friday and Saturday as they finish up a four-game home stand with Concordia University, St. Paul and Minnesota State.