Box Score BAYAMON, Puerto Rico – Minot State University fell behind early and ran out of time late as the Beavers fell 59-52 at the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon in the first game of a preseason road trip to the island Sunday.
 
The Beavers (1-1 overall) did a good enough job on defense to win the game as they held UPR-Bayamon to just 37 percent shooting overall and just eight second-half field goals. But MSU's offense took too long to wake up as the Beavers hit just 3-of-19 3-pointers two nights after knocking down 7-of-8.
 
"We knew it was going to be an adjustment to the style of play down here," said MSU head coach Matt Murken. "We dug ourselves too deep a hole before we made that adjustment tonight. (UPR-Bayamon) was extremely physical and well coached. We will have to regroup Tuesday."
 
MSU trailed 30-22 at the halftime break and trailed by as much as 14 points in the second half, but made a run late. MSU cut it to six on a pair of free throws by Everett Robinson (Sr., G, Grand Junction, Colo.) with just over a minute to play, but the Beavers couldn't cut into the lead from there.
 
The teams combined for 37 fouls in the game, but neither took advantage from the free-throw line. MSU was 13 for 20 from the line, while the Vaqueros finished 13 for 21. UPR-Bayamon did outscore the Beavers 12-8 from the stripe in the second half.
 
Jesus Marquez paced the Vaqueros with 16 points, while Fabian Navarro added 13 points and two rebounds. Alexis Parrilla pulled down six rebounds to lead Bayamon on the glass.
 
Dominique McDonald (Jr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) scored 16 points and added an assist for the Beavers. Winston Williams (Jr., F, Plainfield, Ill.) and Lamont Prosser (Sr., F, Fort Wayne, Ind.) each scored nine points and pulled down eight rebounds as both led the Beavers on the boards. MSU had a big 43-29 advantage on the glass.
 
The Beavers finish a three-game, six day road trip with a second game at Bayamon, Puerto Rico taking on University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Tuesday at 5 p.m.