SIOUX FALLS, SD --The Minot State men's basketball team held Upper Iowa to 37.7 percent shooting, limited the Peacocks leading scorer Jareese Williams to nine points, and Cam'ron Dunfee led the way with a career-high 30 points to help the Beavers advance to the NSIC Semifinals with 90-85 victory at the Sanford Pentagon Friday.

Click the link in the photo above to hear Head Coach Matt Murken and junior Cam'ron Dunfee after the thrilling overtime victory. 
 
The Beavers had four players score in double figures, led by Dunfee, who had a career-high 30 points and added eight rebounds, and four assists. Max Cody tacked on 20 points and seven rebounds and, despite being limited with foul trouble, Melvin Newbern chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds.
 
Minot State out-rebounded Upper Iowa 49-40 in Friday's game, paced by Kody Dwyer's 10 boards. 
 
Minot State's defense held Upper Iowa to only 37.7 percent shooting from the field, including 23.3 percent from beyond the arc. The Beavers also limited Peacocks' leading scorer during the regular season Jareese Williams (18.0 PPG) to 2-of-13 shooting and nine points in the game.

How It Happened
After jumping out to a 10-9 advantage, Minot State went on a 10-0 run with 13:48 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Ben Bohl, to increase its lead to 20-9. The Beavers then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 34-25 advantage. Minot State did most of its first-half damage in the paint, scoring 18 of its 34 points close to the basket.
 
Upper Iowa proceeded to take a 47-45 lead before Minot State went on a 7-0 run, finished off by Dwyer's layup, to seize a 52-47 lead with 12:30 to go in the contest. The Peacocks then fought back to even things up at 78-78 and send the game to overtime. Minot State took care of business in the paint, recording 24 of its 44 points in the lane.
 
Upper Iowa then snagged an 84-81 advantage with 1:29 left in the first overtime before Minot State responded by going on a 6-0 run to seize an 87-84 lead with 12 seconds to go in the period. The Beavers kept expanding the margin and led the rest of the way for the 90-85 win.

The Beavers advance past the first round of the NSIC Tournament for the first time since 2018 when they defeated Upper Iowa 91-71. 
 
Game Notes
» Kody Dwyer notched a double-double for the Beavers with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Beavers made half of their attempts from three-point range, knocking down seven of 14 shots.
» The Beavers held the Peacocks to only 37.7 percent shooting from the field.
» Minot State had a 49-40 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Beavers defense held the Peacocks to 24.3 (9-37) percent shooting from the field in the first half. 
» Minot State held Upper Iowa to 29 made field goals and just 37.7 percent shooting in the game. 

The Beavers survive and advance into the semifinals and will face North No. 1 Northern State for the third time in three weeks tomorrow inside the Sanford Pentagon. The opening tip is scheduled for 4 p.m.