MINOT, N.D. -- David Akibo scored a career-high 16 points and collected five rebounds and Minot State used a 21-6 run midway through the first half to pull away from Dickinson State on its way to an 81-63 victory over the Blue Hawks on Thursday in the Minot State Dome.
With the win, Minot State remained unbeaten on the season as the Beavers raised their record to 4-0. Dickinson State played the game as an exhibition game and remained 4-3 on the season.
Akibo finished the game 6-of-10 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line to pace Minot State. He also added two blocks in his 24 minutes of action.
Minot State held a 20-13 first half lead after a three-point basket by Terrell Butler with 9:03 to play before intermission.
Sam Ohlrich and Dorian Aluyi each scored inside to up the lead to 24-13, but Jerry Shevlin countered with a jumper for Dickinson State that trimmed the lead to 24-15 at the 7:21 mark of the first half.
Nathaniel Moore and Aluyi answered with back-to-back three-point baskets before Akeem Williams converted a jumper for the Blue Hawks making the score 30-17 with 4:52 to play before halftime.
Russ Davis and Max Cody added three-point baskets for the Beavers which capped the run and pushed the lead to 41-19 with 2:24 before halftime.
Minot State, which was outrebounded for the first time this season, took a 44-24 lead into the intermission.
Dickinson State cut the Beavers lead to 66-53 with 10:04 to play, but Minot State answered with a 7-0 run to push the lead to 73-53 at the 4:58 mark of the second half.
Minot State, which shot 46.4 percent from the three-point line, also received 15 points from Davis and 11 points, five rebounds and four assists from
Tyler Rudolph.
Luis Ricci Maia added nine points, six assists and three steals and Moore added nine points for the Beavers.
Dickinson State was led by Brian Neal who scored 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the floor and Marcus White who also had 12 points.
Minot State posted its second consecutive game under 10 turnovers as the Beavers committed just seven for the game.
The Beavers return to action on Monday (Nov. 20) when they host Valley City State at 7:30 p.m. in the Minot State Dome.
