MINOT, N.D. - The Concordia-St. Paul men's basketball team (4-15, 2-13 NSIC) didn't have an answer for Minot State (8-11, 7-8) as the Beavers made 14-of-26 three-pointers and shot 55.2% (37-67) from the floor in defeating the Golden Bears 91-75 at Minot State Dome on Friday night.

The Golden Bears countered by only shooting 43.8% (28-64) from the floor and 28.0% (7-25) from three-point range as they were unable to mount a second half rally.

The nation's second-ranked free throw shooting team entering play, Concordia reached the foul line 20 times compared to Minot State's seven free throw attempts. But the Golden Bears weren't able to capitalize on that advantage, making just 12 for a 60.0% rate, nearly 20% lower than their season total of 79.7% entering play. It was the lowest team free throw percentage in a game this season. Minot State was just 3-for-7 at the stripe.

Concordia scoring leader, and the third ranked scorer in the league on the season, Terez VanPelt (Osseo, Minn.), was held to a season-low seven points on 3-of-9 shooting while adding three assists.

The Golden Bears were led by Cole Olstad (Elgin, Minn.) 13 points. Making his second consecutive and second career start, Cordell Smith (Mequon, Wis.) upped his career high in rebounds that was set last week, pulling down eight while adding 12 points. Shea Mandli (Eagan, Minn.) scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, netting all of his points in the second half.

Minot State was led by Anthony Enriquez and his five three-pointers. He finished with 17 points while setting the tone from the outside. The Beavers' scoring leader was Josh Johnson with 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting and 2-of-2 three-point shooting. Dominique McDonald added 17 points and seven assists.

Concordia held the upper hand early in the game as Smith set the tone by opening with a three-pointer. Concordia also led 14-10 just over seven minutes into the game. But with 12:37 to play, Thomas Korf delivered the Beavers' second three-pointer of the game and a few minutes later Johnson delivered a pair of three-pointers as the Beavers started heating up.

The Golden Bears would fight back and force a few more ties in the half, and reclaim the lead (30-28) on a pair of free throws by Smith with just under five and a half to play.

But Enriquez delivered two more three-pointers and McDonald added another as Minot State built a 9-point lead at the break, 44-35. Seven of Minot's 14 three-pointers were drained in the first half.

The first half featured nine ties and five lead changes before the Beavers pulled away late in the half.

In the second half, Minot State pushed the lead to double-digits for the first time, scoring in the lane over a minute into the period. Concordia answered but the Beavers answered and the lead remained in double-digits for the duration of the 18:19 left in the contest.

Concordia drops the first-ever meeting betwee the two programs and will head to the University of Mary tomorrow night for a 6 p.m. tip at McDowell Activity Center against the Marauders in a battle of a pair of 2-13 NSIC teams.