Box Score ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Minot State University's defense rose to the occasion in its stiffest test of the season.

The Beavers held No. 19 ranked St. Cloud State to 32 percent shooting and 18 points under its league leading 80.2 average in a 68-62 upset win in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball Saturday at Halenbeck Hall.

It was the first two-game winning streak for Minot State this season and the first for the Beavers' first-year head coach Matt Murken. It also marked the first ranked team Minot State has defeated since joining NCAA Division II.

“I kept telling our guys that after we had a good practice on Monday and on Tuesday and on Wednesday, that we put ourselves in a good spot to win,” Murken said. “We really competed this weekend. It's great to have a chance to beat a ranked team, but I'm just happy we are getting better. That's what we have been saying all year.”

Minot State (4-7 overall, 3-4 NSIC) trailed early by as many as 12 points in the first half, but rallied with 3-pointers from Thomas Korf (So., G, St. Cloud, Minn.), Isiah Gandy (Jr., G, West Palm Beach, Fla.). Korf knocked down three 3s plus a free throw and Gandy another triple as MISU changed a 19-9 deficit into a 22-21 lead. The Beavers led by two at half.

“We overcame some adversity,” Murken said. “We got behind early and there was a time in the second half when they took a two point lead after we led for a while. I don't know if we come back from that two or three weeks ago. We told them they had to play harder and we did that.”

The SCSU (9-2, 5-2) lead came on a pair of free throws by Tim Bergstraser with 5:07 to play. But MISU answered with a driving layup and free throw by Dominique McDonald (Fr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) on the next possession, putting the Beavers up for good at 58-56.

“We had good balance and had our guys do the things they do well. Dominique did a good job of getting into the lane and played good defense. Isiah had his best night on offense for us. Chris East (Jr., G, Toronto, Ontario) is a great rebounder and he finishes with 12,” Murken said. “It was nice to see Thomas get a win in his hometown. And, Adam Randall (So., G, Steele, N.D.) is a 6-foot-3 four-man who competed and competed. He probably had the best game you'll see from a guy who didn't score.”

SCSU had three players in double figures paced by Theo Rothsein's 19. He also had seven rebounds. Bergstraser added 15 points and seven boards and Kevin Levandoski scored 11 in the loss.

McDonald led four Beavers in double figures with 14 points. He added six rebounds and four assists as well for MISU. Korf hit three 3s for 12 points and Gandy and E.J. Williams (Jr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) scored 10 points apiece. East chipped in with his normal workman-like seven points and 12 rebounds.

The Beavers will take their two-game NSIC winning streak into a homestand Friday and Saturday. Minot State takes on Upper Iowa Friday at 8 p.m. on Alumni Appreciation Night and the game will be a “White Out” at the MSU Dome. The Beavers battle Winona State Saturday at 4 p.m.