(MINOT, N.D.) – The Minot State men's basketball team will face off against the Sioux Falls Cougars in Sioux Falls for the first round of the NSIC Tournament. MSU and USF will tip at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
Sioux Falls will be looking to avenge a narrow defeat at the hands of Minot State from earlier this season.
Series History *only includes games on record
Wednesday's game marks the 15th overall meeting between Sioux Falls and Minot State with the Cougars leading the all-time series, 10-4. In their last meeting, the Minot State beat USF 69-66 in Minot on Jan. 18, 2020. The Beavers have won two of their last three games against Sioux Falls.
Beaver Tracks
Value the Rock: 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 10.6 times per game.
Nothing but Net: Junior center
Kody Dwyer leads the Beavers, leads the NSIC, and ranks second in the nation in field goal percentage at 72%.
Feeling Generous: The Beaver men have been among the best in the league when assisting on baskets. Minot State ranks tenth in the NSIC in total team assists with 361 total dishes in their 28 games. The Beavers are averaging just under 13 assists per game.
Max Cody is leading the Beavers in that category with 181 total assists and 6.5 assist per game. Cody's numbers are tops in the NSIC.
Freedom: The Beavers are currently eighth in the NSIC in free throw percentage. MSU shoots 72% from the stripe. Minot State has three players shooting upwards of 80% led by
Kyle Beisch at 84%.
Scouting Report
Sioux Falls brings 70.0 points per game, a 45% team shooting percentage, and an NSIC South Division crown into the postseason. The Cougars are led on offense by their three-headed scoring monster of Chase Grinde, Teathloach Pal, and Jack Thompson. That trio scores 12.6, 10.9, and 10.6 points per game, respectively. Pal has been a monster in his own right on the boards this season. He leads Sioux Falls with 259 total rebounds and average 9.3 per game. Pal also leads the team in blocks with 37 on the year. Grinde facilitates as well as he scores with an average of 2.6 assists per game to lead the team.
