SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Seniors Kyle Beisch and Trevor Rothstein put up 28 points and 15 points, respectively, to lead the Beavers Wednesday evening. But, the outpouring wasn’t enough to keep the season alive for the Minot State men’s basketball team.

South Division top-seeded Sioux Falls (22-7) avoided being upset by North Division No. 8-seeded Minot State (10-19) for a second time this season with a 79-68 home win in the first round of the NSIC Tournament.

MSU led for a majority of the first half with its largest lead being seven points, 23-16.

Fouls started to rack up on the Beavers’ frontcourt, as the Cougars asserted their dominance inside. Sioux Falls won the rebounding battle 33-20 and picked up 11 second-chance points off 10 offensive rebounds.

Sioux Falls went ahead 30-29, and the Beavers were never able to regain the lead.

MSU junior guard Max Cody beat the first-half buzzer to trim the Cougars’ lead to 37-34 entering halftime. Cody finished with 12 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Cody, Beisch and Rothstein took a bulk of the Beavers’ shots as the second half — and ultimately MSU’s season — started to wind down.

Beisch converted a desperation four-point play with under two minutes to play to get the Beavers within six points, 71-65. The heavily-contested heave turned out to be Beisch’s final made field goal as Beaver.

Cody made another last-ditch 3-pointer for MSU’s last bucket of the season. Sioux Falls made its free throws down the stretch to seal the victory, 79-68.

Five Cougars finished in double figures: Chase Grinde (20), Austin Slater (13), Troy Houghton (10), Jack Thompson (10) and Teathloach Pal (10).

Sioux Falls shot 51% while Minot State came in at an even 50%.

The Beavers have lost to Sioux Falls in the first round of the NSIC Tournament in each of the last two seasons.

The Cougars advance to face Minnesota State on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the NSIC Tournament in Sioux Falls.

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