WAYNE, Neb. – Senior Tyler Rudolph converted two free throws with 1.8 seconds remaining in regulation lifting Minot State to a 69-68 victory over Wayne State in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game on Saturday in Rice Auditorium.
 
It was a fitting end for Rudolph who poured in 30 points and also became Minot State's career rebounding leading leader as he corralled eight rebounds on the night. With the eight rebounds Rudolph pushed his career total to 781, which topped the previous record of 774 set by John Schaffer.
 
Wayne State took only its second lead of the game with 10 seconds to go in regulation when Jordan Cornelius scored on a layup giving the Wildcats a 68-67 lead.
 
The Beavers worked the ball inside to Rudolph who was fouled by Vance Janssen with 1.8 seconds to play. Rudolph, who finished the game 6-of-6 from the free throw line, calmly knocked down the free throws lifting the Beavers to their third straight win.
 
Minot State, which improved to 10-1 overall and 4-1 in the NSIC, also got 16 points and four assists from Luis Ricci Maia and eight points and two rebounds from Brandon Green. David Akibo added six points and seven rebounds for the Beavers.
 
Wayne State, which dropped to 7-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play, was led by Trevin Joseph who scored 18 points. Cornelius added 12 points for the Wildcats.
 
Minot State raced out of the gates and stormed to an early lead by beginning the game with a 13-0 run.
 
Rudolph scored four points and Ricci Maia capped the outburst with a three-pointers as the Beavers took a 13-0 lead at the 14:09 mark of the first half.
 
Minot State took as much as a 14-point lead on two occasions in the first half before the Wildcats fought back.
 
Wayne State used a 12-0 run midway through the first half to cut the Minot State lead to 22-20 at the 8:04 mark of the first half.
 
Minot State held a 28-26 lead late in the first half before ending the first period with a 7-2 run.
 
Ricci Maia hit a jumper and then completed a three-point play to push the Minot State lead to 33-26 at the 1:46 mark of the first half.
 
Joseph answered with a jumper for Wayne State, but Nathaniel Moore responded with a jumper giving the Beavers a 35-28 lead at intermission.
 
A basket by Ricci Maia gave the Beavers a 39-28 lead at the 18:30 mark of the second half, but the Wildcats closed to within 41-38 on a layup by Austin Esters with 15:47 to play.
 
The remainder of the second half was tightly contested.
 
Minot State took a seemingly safe 67-62 lead following a three-point play by Rudolph with 1:10 to play, but the Wildcats reeled off a 6-0 run to regain the lead at 68-67 setting the stage for the heroics of Rudolph.
 
Minot State will return to action on Dec. 19 when it visits Mary for an NSIC game scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip.