SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Connor Hollenbeck and Caleb Van De Griend both recorded double-doubles to help lead the Minot State men's basketball team over the Sioux Falls Cougars 79-55 on the road Saturday in the NSIC regular-season finale for both teams.

With the win Minot State match its most wins in a season as an NCAA program with 20 and also secured the No. 4 seed in the NSIC and an automatic berth in the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals. Minot State returns to Sioux Falls next weekend for a quarterfinal game on Sunday, March 3, at 11 a.m. at the Sanford Pentagon against the winner of a first-round game Wednesday night in the NSIC Tournament.
 

The Beavers (20-8 overall, 15-7 NSIC) had four players score in double figures, led by Hollenbeck, who put together a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Khari Broadway tacked on 19 points and seven rebounds and Van De Griend helped out with a double-double off the bench with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Led by Hollenbeck's four offensive rebounds, Minot State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 11 boards that resulted in 14 second-chance points.

Minot State's defense held Sioux Falls to only 27 percent shooting from the field, including 21.4 percent from beyond the arc.

How It Happened

After jumping out to a 26-22 advantage, Minot State went on a 9-0 run with 2:00 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Broadway, to increase its lead to 35-22, a score that would hold until halftime.
 

Minot State kept its lead intact before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Hollenbeck's jumper, to grow the lead to 44-29 with 15:32 to go in the contest. The Beavers kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 79-55 win. Minot State took care of business in the paint, recording 22 of its 44 points in the lane.

Game Notes

» Minot State got double-doubles from both Connor Hollenbeck and Caleb Van De Griend.
» The Beavers shot well from three-point range, knocking down seven of 17 long-range attempts.
» The Beavers held the Cougars to only 27 percent shooting from the field.
» Minot State never trailed on the way to a 79-55 victory.
» Minot State had a 46-37 edge on the boards in the win.
» Minot State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Connor Hollenbeck led the Beavers with a game-high 22 points.
» Connor Hollenbeck nabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to lead Minot State and Caleb Van De Griend added 10.

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