The Minot State men’s basketball team defeated the University of Jamestown Jimmies 85-78 on Thursday night, Dec. 4, to improve to a 4-4 record on the season.

The Beavers returned home on Thursday after two tough losses on the road against Black Hills State University and South Dakota Mines that gave the Beavers their first losing record of the season.

The Beavers struck first against the Jimmies and went on an early nine-point run to lead 11-3 over the Jimmies before they worked their way back up to a tie at 15-15. The Beavers resumed their string of unanswered brackets at 22-18, scoring 22 points and doubling their score to 44-18 before the Jimmies scored again. The Beavers scored just five more points in the last five and a half minutes of the first half, heading into half time with a lead of 49-30.

The Jimmies and the Beavers traded points through the first part of the second half, never dropping their lead below double digits. The Beavers kept their wide lead until a three-pointer by the Jimmies brought the deficit down to nine at 66-57, bringing the score within single digits for the first time since the first half. The Jimmies fought hard the next few drives, bringing the deficit within a single basket at 70-68 before a three-pointer by redshirt junior Deuce Benjamin put the Beavers back to a wider lead. The Beavers and the Jimmies stayed neck and neck through the rest of the second half, ending with the Beavers still ahead, winning the game 85-78 and breaking their three-game losing streak.

Deuce Benjamin was the top scorer for the Beavers, earning the team 28 individual points including four completed three-point shots. The Beavers improved to a season record of 4-4 and will be back on the road this weekend to take on the Northern State University Wolves in

Aberdeen, SD starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6.