SIOUX FALLS, SD – Back in the win column! The Minot State men's basketball team won another close contest, this time to the Augustana Vikings to end a 3-game losing skid.
Caleb Van De Griend scored 26 points and Jalen Cook added 23 as the Beavers beat the Vikings 82-77 on the road Saturday.
Van De Griend and Cook's stellar scoring performances led the Beavers (18-3, 9-3) in the contest. Van De Griend tacked on 18 rebounds. Sam West also helped out with 9 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, almost securing the triple-double.
The Minot State offense was very productive from deep, making 13 threes on 31 attempts. Cook was the most prolific shooter for the Beavers, draining 7 treys in the contest.
Coach Murken was pleased with the response from his team in a tough road environment.
"That was a really hard-fought win. We are in a tough stretch right now. Not only are we on the road for 4 straight, we've played teams that are playing 1 game weeks the week they play us or the week before they play us. That's tough," Murken mentioned.
"Our guys responded well to adversity tonight. Same goal for Monday: get in the gym, get in the film room, get in the weight room, get better."
How It Happened
Minot State started out the scoring by going on a 10-0 run, culminating in a three from Cook, to take an early lead with 15:08 left in the first half. The Beavers then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 36-33.
After intermission, Minot State kept the Vikings from increasing their lead before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Van De Griend's layup, to seize a 56-52 lead with 9:06 to go in the contest. The Beavers kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 82-77 win. Minot State shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting 9 shots from deep to score 27 of its 49 points.
Game Notes
» Caleb Van De Griend notched an impressive double-double for the Beavers with 26 points and 18 rebounds.
» The Beavers shot well from three point range, knocking down 13 of 31 long range attempts.
» Minot State tallied 18 total assists in the game.
» Jalen Cook was an assassin from behind the three point line, knocking down 7 treys.
» Minot State had a 38-28 edge on the boards in the win.
» Minot State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
» Caleb Van De Griend had a game-high 26 points and Jalen Cook added 23.
» Minot State got a game-high 18 rebounds from Caleb Van De Griend.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
