MARSHALL, MN -- Caleb Van De Griend notched a double-double with 20 points and 19 rebounds, but the Minot State men's basketball team fell to the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs 76-73 on the road Saturday.

The Beavers (17-2, 8-2) had 3 players score in double figures, led by Van De Griend, who put together a double-double with 20 points and 19 rebounds. Jalen Cook tacked on 16 points and 4 assists and Sam West chipped in as well with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.

The Minot State offense was launching it from deep, making 8 threes on 29 attempts. Jaxon Gunville hit 2 treys for the Beavers in the contest.

It was a weekend to forget for Minot State. After jumping all the way up to 17-0 to begin the season, the Beavers have dropped the last 2 contests to Sioux Falls and now to Southwest Minnesota.

In another game where the Beavers fell into an early deficit from opening tip-off, head coach Matt Murken saw some good moments for most of the time. However, a slow start did not do them any favors.

"We played very good basketball against one of the best teams in the region for 34 minutes. Unfortunately, we dug ourselves a big hole early and couldn't quite overcome that. We have to get back to work and respond to adversity," Murken said.
 
How It Happened
After falling behind 23-7, Minot State went on a 12-0 run with 11:33 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from West, to narrow its deficit to 23-19. The Beavers continued to close the gap, cutting the Southwest Minnesota State lead to 41-40 by the end of the first half.

Southwest Minnesota State kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 51-42 advantage before Minot State went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Cook's three, to shrink the deficit to 51-47 with 14:51 to go in the contest. The Beavers kept their comeback going, but Southwest Minnesota State managed to hold on for the 76-73 win. Minot State did well in the paint, recording 24 of its 33 points in the lane.
 
 
Game Notes
» Caleb Van De Griend notched an impressive double-double for the Beavers with 20 points and 19 rebounds.
» Minot State knocked down 8 treys from beyond the arc.
» Minot State tallied 16 total assists in the game.
» Minot State gathered a 40-30 rebounding advantage.
» Minot State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 16 offensive boards in the game.
» Caleb Van De Griend led the Beavers with 20 points.
» Minot State got a game-high 19 rebounds from Caleb Van De Griend.
 
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