(MINOT, N.D.) – The Minot State men's basketball team will look to grab two victories to end the 2019-20 regular season. The Beavers will visit MSU Moorhead on Friday, Feb. 21 and Northern State on Saturday, Feb. 22 to wrap up the campaign.

This weekend's series will determine who the Beavers, and their opponents, will face in the first round of the NSIC Tournament next week.

Series History *only includes games on record
Friday's game marks the 17th overall meeting between MSU Moorhead and Minot State with the Dragons leading the all-time series, 14-2. In their last meeting, the MSUM beat Minot State 79-76 in Minot on Dec. 14, 2019. The Beavers haven't beaten MSU Moorhead since they swept the 2017-18 season series.
 
The game between Northern State and Minot State on Saturday marks the 34th overall meeting between the two teams. NSU leads the all-time series 27-6. In their last match-up, Northern State won by a score of 69-67 in Minot on Dec. 13, 2019. The Wolves have won 20 consecutive games since Minot State's last win in 1991.

Beaver Tracks
Ball Security is Job Security: The Minot State men have been among the best in the conference and the country in valuing the basketball. The Beavers rank fourth in the NSIC and 13th in NCAA Division II in turnover average. MSU gives the ball up just 10.5 times per game.
 
Fill it Up: Minot State is currently tenth in the NSIC in team free throw percentage at 45% for the entire group. The Beavers have made 685 shots out of 1,518 attempts. Junior center Kody Dwyer leads the Beavers, leads the NSIC, and   ranks second in the nation in field goal percentage at 72%.
 
Assistant (to the) Regional Manager: The Beaver men have been among the best in the league when assisting on baskets. Minot State ranks sixth in the NSIC in total team assists with 344 total dishes in their 26 games. The Beavers are averaging just over 13 assists per game. Max Cody is leading the Beavers in that category with 170 total assists and 6.5 assist per game. Cody's numbers are tops in the NSIC.
 
Free for a Reason: The Beavers are currently eighth in the NSIC in free throw percentage. MSU shoots 73% from the stripe. Minot State has three players shooting upwards of 80% led by Kyle Beisch at 85%.

Scouting Report
MSU Moorhead- The Dragons are currently 16-10 overall and 12-8 in the NSIC. MSUM scores just under 78 points per game while shooting 49% as a team. Gavin Baumgautner leads the Dragon offense at 17.7 points per game. Bryce Irsfeld is the other MSUM player averaging double-figures at 12.4 ppg. Irsfeld, Baumgartner, and Kaedrick Williams all lead the team in steals with 24 each. Forward Dane Zimmer has been productive on the glass with a team-high 153 rebounds and 17 blocks. The Dragon offense also benefits from the distribution prowess of assists-leader Johnny Beeninga with 79 total dishes.
 
Northern State- The Wolves bring an overall record of 20-6 and NSIC record of 16-4 into the final weekend of the regular season. Northern State scores roughly 81 points per game. That high-scoring attack is led by three double-digit scorers including Parker Fox (20.1), Mason Stark (15.1), and Gabe King (11.4). Fox also leads the Wolves in rebounding with 238 total and blocked shots with 59. Guard Andrew Kallman leads Northern on the perimeter with 101 assists and 29 steals this season.