Deuce Benjamin had a game-high 26 points, and none were bigger than his final two, as the redshirt junior guard knocked down a jumper with three seconds left in regulation to lift the Minot State men’s basketball team to an 85-83 victory over Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the MSU Dome.

The Beavers led by as many as eight at 63-55 with 12:55 remaining after one of Benjamin’s five 3-pointers, but the Bulldogs battled back and grabbed a 66-65 lead four minutes later. The lead switched hands five times down the stretch and the game was tied four other times.

Minot State (10-14 overall, 7-11 NSIC) grabbed an 83-80 lead on a Carson Yale layup with 1:19 left. Jackson Fowlkes converted a three-point play for the Bulldogs (13-11, 9-9) in the final 12 seconds to tie the game at 83. Benjamin sent the Beavers home a winner with the game-winning shot nine seconds later. Benjamin was 8-for-12 from the field and 5-for-7 from 3.

Darik Dissette and Isaiah Alexander both finished with 17 points. Carson Yale added 10 to put four Beavers in double figures.

Following a season-high eight-game losing streak, the Beavers have now won two straight. The Beavers snapped the losing streak the prior night, topping Bemidji State 72-65 in a battle of the Beavers.

Minot State travels to play Minnesota Crookston on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m.