SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Junior David Akibo scored 15 points of his team high 18 points in the second half and Minot State shot 70.8 percent from the floor after halftime as the Beavers overcame a nine-point first-half deficit on their way to a 78-75 victory over Augustana on Friday in the Sioux Falls Arena.
 
Minot State, which improved to 9-1 overall and 3-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, posted its first-ever victory over Augustana in Sioux Falls. After dropping the first five overall games played between the two teams, the Beavers have won two straight after defeating the Vikings last season in Minot.
 
"We had to make some plays at the end and we made just enough to win," said Minot State head coach Matt Murken. "Man what an effort and a good road win. We made a lot of game-winning plays down the stretch and it was a great overall team effort."
 
Seniors Luis Ricci Maia and Tyler Rudolph each posted a double-double for the Beavers. Ricci Maia finished with 14 points and 10 assists, while Rudolph had 15 points and 16 rebounds.
 
With his 16 rebounds, Rudolph moved to within one of tying the school career rebounding record of 774 held by John Schaffer.
 
Augustana was led by John Warren who scored a game-high 21 points. Jordan Spencer added 15 points for the Vikings.
 
Following a three-pointer by Matt Cartwright, the Beavers found themselves trailing 36-27 with 1:44 to play in the first period.
 
The Beavers closed the first half on a 5-1 run, including a three-point basket by Akibo, to climb to within 37-32 at the intermission.
 
Minot State opened the second half on a 10-2 run, which included six points from Akibo, to take a 42-39 lead with 17:21 to play in the game.
 
Augustana, which dropped to 6-4 overall and 1-3 in the NSIC, responded with a 9-2 run to regain the lead at 48-44 with 15:11 to play in the second.
 
Minot State answered with a 12-2 run to take a 56-50 lead at the 9:57 mark of the second half.
 
Akibo and Ricci Maia converted baskets to knot the game at 48-48 and Akibo drilled a three-pointer to put the Beavers ahead 51-48.
 
A layup by Ricci Maia pushed the lead to 53-48 before Marcus Asmus converted two free throws for the Vikings to trim the lead to 53-50. Trevor Rothstein capped the run with a three-point play that upped the lead to 56-50.
 
The Vikings rallied to regain the lead at 61-60 on a jumper by Steven Schaefer with 5:58 remaining in the contest.
 
Nathaniel Moore put the Beavers ahead to stay at 62-61 on a driving layup with 5:09 to play in the game.
 
Augustana twice rallied to tie the game, but the Beavers never surrendered the lead in the final five minutes of play.
 
Minot State took a 70-66 lead at the 2:57 mark of the second following two free throws by Ricci Maia and a layup by Rudolph.
 
Schaefer made one of two free throws with 2:35 to play in the game to cut the lead to 70-67, but Brandon Green drilled a huge three-pointer with 1:43 to play to push the Beavers lead to 73-67.
 
Minot State then made 5-of-6 free throw attempts down the stretch to hold off the Vikings.
 
Minot State returns to action on Saturday (Dec. 9) when it faces Wayne State in Wayne, Neb., at 6 p.m.