MINOT, N.D. – Dorian Aluyi converted a layup with 1:18 remaining in overtime and Luis Ricci Maia scored the final six points of the game as Minot State defeated Minnesota State for the first time in school history as the Beavers posted a 91-83 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference win over the Mavericks on Friday in the Minot State Dome.
 
In a game befitting two of the top teams in the NSIC, Minot State rallied from an early five-point deficit in overtime to claim the victory.
 
Minnesota State jumped out to an 82-77 lead in overtime on a layup by Cole Harper and a three-pointer from Chris Kendrix.
 
Minot State, which improved to 15-2 overall and 9-2 in the NSIC, climbed to within 82-81 following a layup by Tyler Rudolph and two free throws by Ricci Maia.
 
Minnesota State, which fell to 12-4 overall and 8-2 in league play, upped the lead to 83-81 when Harper made one of two free throw attempts with 2:29 to play in overtime.
 
Minot State tied the game at 83-83 at the 2:04 mark of overtime when Nathaniel Moore converted two free throw attempts, which marked the 15^th time of the game.
 
Aluyi then put the Beavers ahead to stay when he scored inside off an in-bounds play when Ricci Maia found him underneath the basket.
 
Ricci Maia increased the lead to 87-83 with a layup and he then tacked on four consecutive free throws to close out the game.
 
Minot State, which entered the game 0-5 against Minnesota State, shot 55.2 percent from the floor for the game and made 22-of-26 free throw attempts.
 
Ricci Maia finished with a career-high 25 points to lead the Beavers. He was 7-of-12 from the floor, including making both of his three-point attempts, and 9-of-10 from the free throw line to top his previous career high of 23 points. He also added six assists, two rebounds and a steal.
 
Rudolph posted his 31^st career double-double as he finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while David Akibo and Moore each scored 17 points for the Beavers.
 
Minnesota State placed five players in double figures in scoring led by Charlie Brown who finished with 24 points. Kendrix added 15 points and eight rebounds, while Cameron Kirksey finished with 14 points.
 
Minnesota State rallied to force overtime as the Beavers saw a five-point lead dissipate in the final 15 seconds of regulation.
 
Minot State held a seemingly safe 77-72 lead with 15 seconds remaining in regulation after Ricci Maia knocked down two free throws.
 
On the Mavericks ensuing trip down the floor, Brown was fouled attempting a three-point shot and converted all three free throws to bring Minnesota State to within 77-75 with eight seconds to play.
 
Minot State turned the ball over on its next trip and Kirksey was fouled with 4.1 seconds left in regulation. He hit both free throws to knot the game at 77-77 and Minot State was unable to get off a shot before the horn sounded ending regulation.
 
The comeback by the Mavericks was preceded by a comeback by the Beavers.
 
Minot State trailed 59-49 with 7:15 remaining in the second half before storming back to eventually regain the lead.
 
Ricci Maia started the Beavers rally with a three-pointer and Rudolph scored on a short jumper to trim the Mavericks lead to 59-54 at the 6:33 mark of the second half.
 
Brown hit one of two free throws for Minnesota State to up the lead to 60-54, but Rudolph drilled a three-pointer and Moore tacked on two free throws to cut the lead to 60-59 at the 4:58 mark of the second half.
 
Rudolph hit a baseline jumper to put Minot State ahead and Moore capped the Beavers 17-2 run with a layup that extended the lead to 66-61 with 3:30 remaining in the contest.
 
The teams traded mini runs over the final three minutes of regulation to set up the frenetic finish to regulation play.
 
Minot State returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 13) when it hosts Concordia-St. Paul at 6 p.m. in the Minot State Dome.