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MSU men’s basketball knocks of Augustana 78-75

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Junior David Akibo scored 15 points of his team high 18 points in the second half and Minot State shot 70.8 percent from the floor after halftime as the Beavers overcame a nine-point first-half deficit on their way to a 78-75 victory over Augustana on Friday in the Sioux Falls Arena.

Minot State, which improved to 9-1 overall and 3-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, posted its first-ever victory over Augustana in Sioux Falls. After dropping the first five overall games played between the two teams, the Beavers have won two straight after defeating the Vikings last season in Minot.

“We had to make some plays at the end and we made just enough to win,” said Minot State head coach Matt Murken. “Man what an effort and a good road win. We made a lot of game-winning plays down the stretch and it was a great overall team effort.”

Seniors Luis Ricci Maia and Tyler Rudolph each posted a double-double for the Beavers. Ricci Maia finished with 14 points and 10 assists, while Rudolph had 15 points and 16 rebounds.

With his 16 rebounds, Rudolph moved to within one of tying the school career rebounding record of 774 held by John Schaffer.

Augustana was led by John Warren who scored a game-high 21 points. Jordan Spencer added 15 points for the Vikings.

Following a three-pointer by Matt Cartwright, the Beavers found themselves trailing 36-27 with 1:44 to play in the first period.

The Beavers closed the first half on a 5-1 run, including a three-point basket by Akibo, to climb to within 37-32 at the intermission.

Minot State opened the second half on a 10-2 run, which included six points from Akibo, to take a 42-39 lead with 17:21 to play in the game.

Augustana, which dropped to 6-4 overall and 1-3 in the NSIC, responded with a 9-2 run to regain the lead at 48-44 with 15:11 to play in the second.

Minot State answered with a 12-2 run to take a 56-50 lead at the 9:57 mark of the second half.

Akibo and Ricci Maia converted baskets to knot the game at 48-48 and Akibo drilled a three-pointer to put the Beavers ahead 51-48.

A layup by Ricci Maia pushed the lead to 53-48 before Marcus Asmus converted two free throws for the Vikings to trim the lead to 53-50. Trevor Rothstein capped the run with a three-point play that upped the lead to 56-50.

The Vikings rallied to regain the lead at 61-60 on a jumper by Steven Schaefer with 5:58 remaining in the contest.

Nathaniel Moore put the Beavers ahead to stay at 62-61 on a driving layup with 5:09 to play in the game.

Augustana twice rallied to tie the game, but the Beavers never surrendered the lead in the final five minutes of play.

Minot State took a 70-66 lead at the 2:57 mark of the second following two free throws by Ricci Maia and a layup by Rudolph.

Schaefer made one of two free throws with 2:35 to play in the game to cut the lead to 70-67, but Brandon Green drilled a huge three-pointer with 1:43 to play to push the Beavers lead to 73-67.

Minot State then made 5-of-6 free throw attempts down the stretch to hold off the Vikings.

Minot State returns to action on Saturday (Dec. 9) when it faces Wayne State in Wayne, Neb., at 6 p.m.

— Minot State athletics

Beavers hockey overcomes early deficit for 4-1 win

By Daily News Staff

sports@minotdailynews.com

JAMESTOWN — The No. 1-ranked Minot State men’s hockey team gave up the first goal of the game to No. 15-ranked Jamestown Friday evening, but fought back for a 4-1 victory.

“We had a great effort tonight,” MSU coach Wade Regier said. “Our guys played a complete game. Our penalty kill was on point and we were rewarded for our hard work.”

The Beavers (17-2-1) got goals from four different skaters. Johl Swedlo tied the score at 1-1 in the first period, three minutes after Jamestown’s Ryan Perewerzoff had put in the first goal of the contest.

Austin Yano had the only goal in the second period, assisted by Bryce Lipinski. MSU capped the win with a pair shorthanded goals by Blake Fournier and Morgen Martelle (empty net) in the third period.

The Beavers had a 25-19 edge in shots with goaltender Holden Kurtz making 18 saves.

MSU plays Jamestown again this evening in Minot. The contest caps a triple-header at Maysa Arena with the Minot High girls hockey team facing Fargo Davies at 2 p.m., Minot High boys hockey against Dickinson at 5 p.m. and the Beavers hosting Jamestown at 8 p.m.

Augie women trounce MSU

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Senior Kristal Flowers scored a game-high 14 points and grabbed a team-high six rebounds to pace Minot State in an 83-52 loss on Friday night at No. 23 Augustana.

Minot State falls to 4-4 (1-3 NSIC) on the season while the Vikings improve to 8-0 (4-0 NSIC).

“Augustana is a ranked Top 25 team in the nation and a really good team when playing at home,” said head coach Mark Graupe. “Their defensive pressure was all over the court and really affected us from gaining any momentum.”

Augustana outscored the Beavers in a high-scoring first quarter, 32-21. Minot State shot 50 percent from the field while the Vikings shot 8 of 12 from three-point range to start the game.

Both teams cooled off in the second quarter, as the Vikings limited Minot State to 36.4 percent shooting and outscored the Beavers, 19-11. Augustana forced Minot State into seven turnovers while the Beavers held a 10-6 advantage in rebounding in the second quarter.

The Vikings shot 11 of 20 from three-point range to take a 51-32 lead at halftime while the Beavers shot 44.8 percent from the field.

Augustana outscored the Beavers 19-10 in the third quarter to take a 70-42 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Minot State went 5 of 6 from the free throw line, as the two teams went back and forth in the fourth quarter. Augustana edged the Beavers 13-10 on their way to their way to earning an 83-52 victory.

Kari Clements followed Flowers in scoring with nine points while Madison Wald and Holly Johnson added eight points each.

Denton joined Flowers in grabbing a team-high six rebounds and Johnson in dishing out a team-high three assists.

Minot State finished shooting 39.6 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line while holding a 31-21 advantage in rebounding. The Vikings shot 53.6 percent from the floor, including 50 percent from three-point range.

Minot State returns to action tomorrow night when they travel to Wayne, Neb. To take on Wayne State at 4 p.m.

— Minot State athletics

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