MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University couldn't match the offensive performance of Southwest Minnesota State Saturday.

Few teams could with the numbers SMSU put up.

The Mustangs hit 16 of 20 shots in the second half and knocked down 18 of 20 free throws to hold off MSU 91-81 in an entertaining Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball game Saturday at the MSU Dome.

"Obviously didn't get enough stops on the defensive end of the court," said MSU head coach Matt Murken. "They had great patience and kept moving the ball until they got an open shot. To their credit, when they had open shots they knocked them down."
The Beavers (6-4 overall, 2-3 NSIC) didn't go away despite the offensive game by the Mustangs as they were outscored 53-49 in the second half and matched SMSU's field goal output of 16 (16-for-35).

But free throws were the difference. While SMSU (8-3, 4-1) was brilliant, the Beavers were more pedestrian at 14 for 21 in the second half.

Minot State led early on, going up three, 14-11, on a Lamont Prosser (Sr., F, Fort Wayne, Ind.) at 11:38 in the first half. It was back and forth from there until a Mitch Weg three-point play capped a 14-5 SMSU run gave the Mustangs a 61-51 lead midway through the second half.

"We scored it with them in the second half, we scored it well, but when you're trading baskets when you're down six at half, you can't play even and go back and forth like that," said Murken.

There was one more ebb and flow from there as Everett Robinson (Sr., G, Grand Junction, Colo.) got Minot State to within three with a three-point play of his own with just over six minutes to play. But, the Mustangs hit 13 of 14 free throws and two key 3-pointers down the stretch to pull away.

While the fouls slowed the game down considerably late, it was well played, up and down contest with the teams combining for just 15 total turnovers. MSU had just seven miscues in the game.

SMSU had five players in double figures, paced by Weg who had a game-high 24 points and six rebounds. MJ Delmore hit one of the key 3s down the stretch and finished with 17, while Cole Martin added 12 for the Mustangs.

Minot State also had five in double figures with Robinson completing another double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. He added three steals as well for the Beavers. Dominique McDonald (Jr., G, Raleigh, N.C.) scored 14 and added six assists. Winston Williams (Jr., F, Plainfield, Ill.) scored 13 points, Thomas Korf (Sr., F, St. Cloud, Minn.) added 12 points and Prosser finished with 10 points.

The Beavers finish off regular season play for the calendar year at home with matchup against rival University of Mary Friday starting at 8 p.m. and end with nonconference University of Jamestown Saturday at 6 p.m.