MINOT, N.D. – For the first time in school history the Minot State University men's basketball team was able to defeat Upper Iowa by shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 95.5 percent from the free throw line.

The game began with a quick pace as the Beavers were able to get out to an early lead and led by as many as 17 in the first half. Whistles slowed the game down, however as the visiting Peacocks were called for fouls 24 times, one less than the home team's total. The combined 49 fouls is the most in conference play this season for Minot State.

Matt Murken's squad was able to take advantage of the calls by making 21 of their 22 free throw attempts including Nathan Mertens (G, Jr., Devils Lake, N.D.) 11 for 11.

In the first half the Beavers made 58.3 percent of their attempts to go up 50-38 before halftime. Their shooting in the second half slowed, but mainly because it was difficult for either team to set up with the frequent foul calls. A total of 37 free throws were taken by the two teams in the second 20 minutes compare to just 19 in the first half. Minot State alone increased their trips to the line from four to 18 in the two halves.

Tyler Rudolph (F, So., Bismarck, N.D.) made the second most free throws with four on his way to his third game in a row with 25 or more points. Making 10 of his 17 attempts Rudolph was able to score a game-high 27 points and secure 11 rebounds.

Chris Davis (G, Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo.) was second on the team in scoring with 16 points. Davis returned to the three-point line, where he has made a home this season, to make four of his six field goals. Mertens was the third Beaver to score in the double-digits with 15 points. Point guard Dominique McDonald (Sr., Raleigh, N.C.) led the team with seven assists.

Minot State will play again tomorrow, January 16, against Winona State at the MSU Dome. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m.

About Minot State
Minot State University is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and NCAA Division II offering 14 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletics programs. The NSIC is a premier NCAA DII, 16-member conference featuring teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. The Beavers are the only public NCAA Division II institution in the state of North Dakota.