MANKATO, MN. – It is down to the final stretch run of the 2024-25 regular season, with one more series on the road and at home for Minot State men's basketball before jumping into the postseason.

The Beavers have hit another slip-up in the regular season having lost the last two games. If they are to get back on track, it will not be easy. Despite winning against them on the home court in early January, the Beavers will have to head to Minnesota to face some more quality competition in Winona State and defending champion Minnesota State-Mankato.

There is not a time more important than this weekend for Minot State basketball involving some major ramifications in the playoff race. The Beavers are tied for third in the NSIC standings with four other schools, including Winona and Mankato on that list.

Minot State (21-6, 12-6 NSIC) hits the road one last time in the regular season and will start with a Friday evening clash with the Mavericks (16-10, 12-6 NSIC) at 5:30 p.m. Then, they head further east near the Wisconsin border to face the Warriors (17-7, 12-6 NSIC) in a 3:30 p.m. tip-off on Saturday.

For the Beavers, they gave Mankato and Winona some instant classics back on January 3 and 4 while handing them losses that stung and served as tough pills to swallow. Minot State outlasted Winona in triple overtime 113-104 and edged out Mankato 75-72. They will have to be ready as it is expected the Mavericks and Warriors will put their best foot forward. All-time, the Beavers will look to get their fifth win against both squads as they face Mankato for the 14^th meeting, and for Winona it will be the 16^th time they hit the hardwood against each other.

Friday and Saturday will not be the only time the Mavericks suit up during the week. Earlier on Tuesday, they found themselves in Duluth for a midweek battle with the Bulldogs. They fell in a 75-74 heartbreaker off a buzzer-beating dunk. Winona will be somewhat fresher yet more determined after they were able to overcome a tough Southwest Minnesota State team last Saturday. The final score was 66-59.

A late travel for a turnover in Minot will not leave the 2024-25 preseason player of the year Kyrese Willingham discouraged this time around. The Senior guard from Waseca, MN is the leader of this Maverick group in scoring with 18.7 PPG. Justin Eagins is another player to watch on Mankato. He will present himself as an X factor after only playing 11 minutes in Minot before getting tossed out. He has scored 17 points in 2-straight games, looking to make it a third with 14.3 PPG heading into this weekend.

The Warriors present some top-end talent themselves. On the hardwood, be on the lookout for Luke Haertle (17.3 PPG), Connor Drew (14.7 PPG), and Isaiah Thompson (13.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG). Thompson's season-high in points (30) came against the Beavers, granted that it took three overtimes.

On the court for the hometown team, the Beavers were able to match the opposing efforts brought on by Mankato and Winona. Now, they hope to do it again behind their own efforts from a solidified starting unit. Caleb Van De Griend is nearing the 20 PPG plateau as he leads the charge in scoring and rebounds (PPG – 19.8, RPG – 13.1). Guard Jalen Cook (14.2 PPG) will look to get back into double-digit scoring after falling short in the last two games, but he remains a threat whenever he is out there. Ayouba Berthe (13.4 PPG) has also risen to the occasion as of late, providing another dynamic piece on the hardwood for the Beavers.

Recent Games
Minot State could not beat a rejuvenated MSU-Moorhead Dragon team in the second stanza. Following an 85-73 loss, Minot pushed back and battled on the road against the St. Cloud State Huskies. Unfortunately, they were unable to start and end strong as the Beavers fell in a double-digit loss to the Huskies that was 91-81 in St. Cloud. Van De Griend paced the way with 28 points and 8 rebounds. Also serving as driving forces were Berthe with 15 points and Sam West with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists as he came just short of the rare triple-double.