Adam Papin/MDN Minot State’s Jaden Cook (21) drives to the basket past Valley City State’s Cleveland Bedgood (3) during the second half of Wednesday’s game.

Jalen Cook scored a season high 20 points from the bench, as the Minot State Beavers cruised past NAIA opponent Valley City State University, 78-56, on Wednesday in the MSU Dome. The Beavers’ bench scored 41 points in the game, while the Vikings only scored two.

“I thought it was a really good game by everyone today,” Cook said. “Mark [Murken – Minot State’s men’s basketball head coach] prepared us well for the zone, and then we played so well we got [Cleveland Bedgood] out of the zone, which allowed us to swing the ball really well.”

Cook made three three-point field goals in the game, and the Beavers made nine from behind the arc.

“He’s a big key for us,” Murken said of Cook. “He brings great energy, and we love having him come off the bench and be an offensive every guy.”

Bedgood led all scorers with 29 points for Valley City State, and teammate Odier Olange finished in double figure for the Vikings with 11.

Three Beavers reached double figures, while nine scored in the contest. In addition to Cook’s 20 points, Michael Jok scored 12 and Caleb Van De Griend had 11 points for Minot State.

Jok finished with a double-double, coming down with 12 rebounds. He also had two steals.

Minot State got off to a bit of a slow start, only leading 15-13 after six minutes of play. However, the Beavers came out of a media timeout and went on a 26-12 run to close out the first half and take a 41-25 lead into the break.

The Beavers outscored the Vikings 37-31 in the second half for the win.

Minot State came down with 45 total rebounds, and the team’s 15 offensive rebounds led to 16 second half points. According to Murken, rebounding has been a point of emphasis, but having that many offensive rebounds also means the team didn’t shoot particularly well.

The Beavers shot 44.8% from the field and 31.0% from three-point range. Minot State shot 69.2% from the free throw line in the game.

The win moves Minot State’s season record to 6-2 overall. The Beavers are 2-1 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play, and they will look to improve that record when they host the University of Mary Marauders on Saturday, Dec. 9 as part of a triple-header in the MSU Dome.

“They are a good team,” Murken said. ” But I’m certainly excited to be coming of a “W, which puts us on a little win streak going into that one.”

The Minot State men’s basketball team will tip-off at 1:30 p.m. The women’s basketball team will also play the University of Mary at 3:30 p.m., followed by a men’s wrestling match between the two teams at 6:30 p.m.