GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- No Myron Allen plus a hobbled Jeff Brandt has equated into one thing for University of North Dakota men's basketball opponents -- more Jerome Beasley.
The Division II Bulletin national preseason player of the year has been lighting up scoreboards with frequency.
Beasley was at it again Friday, scoring 35 points to pace the Sioux to an 81-72 North Central Conference triumph over Minnesota State, Mankato at Hyslop Sports Center.
"He just went to work," Sioux coach Rich Glas said. "We went to him, the guys got him the ball and he delivered."
Beasley's performance helped soften what has been a frustrating stretch.
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The Sioux learned Thursday that the NCAA ruled Allen ineligible for his connection to the F-M Beez and a sports agent.
That came after the Sioux dropped a controversial 79-78 decision on a buzzer-beating
3-pointer to South Dakota last Thursday.
To make matters worse, Brandt dressed Friday, but did not play as he continues to nurse a sore ankle.
But the Sioux pressed on.
UND, which, according to Glas, will not have to forfeit its seven victories that accumulated while Allen played, moved to 11-3 on the season (2-1 NCC).
"This is real good for us," Beasley said. "This just continues to lift our confidence."
Beasley, fresh off scoring 34 and 28 in an NCC split last weekend, was doing his thing again. The athletic 6-foot-10 senior stung the Mavericks with long jumpers, fadeaways and nifty work inside.
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And most of his work came when it counted most.
Down the stretch, Beasley accounted for 15 points in the final 5:44, helping the Sioux open double-digit leads for the first time all game.
"I have a lot of confidence in my ability to score," said Beasley, who added 12 rebounds. "I wanted the ball and I just took it at them. It's a team deal and the team believes and has confidence in me."
Todd Rypkema, a 6-11 sophomore center, added 13 points, sharing time with Beasley down low.
"Having both of us (Rypkema) working like that gives us a better shot for our club and a better shot for our team to advance," Beasley said.
MANKATO STATE (10-4, 1-2): Staten 7-11 0-0 16, Ziemke 1-5 0-2 2, Carlson 5-15 5-5 16, Brown 4-11 0-0 8, Ellenberger 4-11 2-2 10, Driscoll 1-1 0-0 2, Budde 0-2 0-0 0, Griffin 2-3 0-0 5, Hulke 6-9 1-3 13, Shepp 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 30-69 8-12 72.
NORTH DAKOTA (11-3, 2-1): Porter 3-11 4-6 10, M. Johnson 2-7 5-6 9, Walker 1-2 2-2 4, J. Johnson 0-2 1-3 1, Beasley 14-25 6-6 35, Bradley 3-5 0-0 9, Jahner 0-1 0-0 0, Lindahl 0-1 0-0 0, Rypkema 6-8 1-3 13. Totals 29-62 19-26 81.
Halftime: UND 32, MSU 28. 3-pointers: MSU 5-15 (Staten 2-4, Carlson 1-5, Griffin 1-2, Ziemke 0-3, Hulke 0-1), UND 4-16 (Bradley 3-4, Beasley 1-3, Porter 0-3, M. Johnson 0-2, Walker 0-1, J. Johnson 0-1, Jahner 0-1, Rypkema 0-1). Fouls: MSU 24, UND 13. Rebounds: MSU 34 (Ellenberger 9), UND 46 (Beasley 12). Assists: MSU 18 (Staten 4, Budde 4), UND 16 (M. Johnson 4). Turnovers: MSU 10 (Ellenberger 3), UND 13 (M. Johnson 4). Attendance: 2,281.
