MINOT, N.D. -- The Minot State men's basketball team will open its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule on Saturday (Dec. 1) when it faces Mary at 5:30 p.m. in the McDowell Activity Center.

The Beavers, who are 5-4 on the season, snapped a two-game losing streak on Tuesday when they defeated Valley City State 61-47 in the Minot State Dome. Senior David Akibo led the way for the Beavers as he had 25 points and nine rebounds to lead MSU to the win.

In the Beavers five victories this season, Minot State has featured balance scoring, dominant rebounding and a stingy defense. Akibo is one of four players averaging in double figures in the Beavers wins this year at 15.6 points per game. Max Cody (14.6), Kyle Beisch (11.2) and Dorian Aluyi (10.4) also are scoring in double figures in the Beavers wins. Minot State owns a 37.6-28.2 advantage in rebounding in its five wins and is limiting opponents to just 37.9 percent shooting from the floor in those games.

On the season, Akibo leads the Beavers averaging 16.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, while Beisch is second on the team averaging 12.7 points per contest.

Max Cody leads Minot State averaging 4.3 assists per game and is third on the squad scoring 12.2 points per game. Aluyi is also averaging in double figures at 10.3 points per game and is second on the team averaging 6.8 rebounds per outing.

Liam McRae (.688), Kody Dwyer (.558) and Aluyi (.552) are each shooting over 50.0 percent from the floor for the season.

Mary, which is 2-3 on the season, opened the season with three consecutive losses, but have bounced back to win back-to-back games against Yellowstone Christian and South Dakota Mines.

The game will be broadcast live on BEK Sports throughout the state of North Dakota.