MINOT,  N.D. -- Melvin Newbern registered a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds, but Minot State men's basketball fell to Southwest Minnesota State 67-65 at home on Sunday. 

In addition to Newbern's double-double, the Beavers (1-1) were led by Steven Ross Jr., who totaled 13 points and four steals, and by Kody Dwyer, who added 13 points.

Minot State out-rebounded Southwest Minnesota State 33-27 in Sunday's game, led by Newbern's 14 boards. The Beavers also grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and scored 19 second-chance points.

Minot State forced 14 Southwest Minnesota State turnovers while committing 10 themselves in Sunday's game. The Beavers turned those takeaways into 11 points on the other end of the floor. Ross Jr.'s four steals led the way for Minot State.

MSU finished with four scorers in double-digits as the depth of the team continues to shine early on in the season. The Beavers shot 39.3% (24-61) from the field for the game, including a 10-30 (33.3%) first-half performance and a 14-31 (45.6%) shooting total in the second half. 

How It Happened

After falling behind 38-20, Minot State went on a 9-0 run with 3:06 left in the first half to narrow its deficit to 38-29, a score that would hold until halftime.

Southwest Minnesota State kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 46-33 advantage before Minot State went on a 12-0 run, finished off by Ross Jr.'s jumper, to shrink the deficit to 46-45 with 10:50 to go in the contest. It was a tight and hard-fought battle that came down to one last shot in the lane with an attempt to tie the game in the final seconds by Max Cody. 

Southwest Minnesota State held on to clinch a 67-65 win over the Beavers.

Game Notes

» Newbern notched a double-double for the Beavers with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
» Minot State lost despite a 33-27 rebounding advantage.
» The Beavers' defense forced 14 turnovers.
» MSU cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Dunfee led the Beavers with 14 points.
» Minot State got a game-high 14 rebounds from Melvin Newbern.

Head Basketball Coach Matt Murken


MSU men's basketball falls to 1-1 overall following the conclusion of its two-game non-conference matchups against Southwest Minnesota State. The Beavers start conference action on Friday, Jan. 8, when they will take on Minnesota Duluth at 6 p.m., inside the MSU Dome.