The University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team battled to a 74-68 overtime win against Minot State University in the NSIC Tournament First Round inside Romano Gymnasium.

Leading the victory was Kole Hanson with 18 points and four rebounds while shooting 33.3 % (6-18) from the field, 33.3% (3-9) beyond the arc, and 75% (3-4) from the free throw line. Following close behind was Caleb Siwek (15), Noah Paulson (14), and Mattie Thompson (12).

After making 50% (4-8) from the field, the Bulldogs found themselves up 10-8 after the opening five minutes with Hanson leading the effort with five points. The next three minutes, UMD broke out off of a Thompson three-pointer and a Wyatt McBeth jumper to take a 15-9 lead.

The Beavers responded with a 9-2 scoring run to inch ahead of the Bulldogs 18-17 with 7:25 remaining before halftime. A combined effort from Hanson (10), Paulson (5), and Thompson (2) forced a 17-6 scoring run to retake the lead at 34-24 into halftime.

Coming out of the halftime break, MSU outscored UMD 10-6 to chip back within six points in the first five minutes. Siwek (7), Owen Leach (3), and McBeth (2) led a 12-point effort to hold a 52-42 lead over the Beavers with ten minutes to go.

The Bulldogs only scored 11 points in the final 10 minutes to allow a 21-point comeback by the Beavers to force overtime at 63-63. UMD's defense controlled the full five-minute overtime, allowing only three points from MSU to allow Siwek (4), Katona (2), and Paulson (1) to close the first-round victory at 70-66.

Overall, the Bulldogs hit 35.9% (23-64) from the field, 28% (7-25) beyond the arc, and 84% (21-25) from the free throw line.

UMD now heads to compete in its first NSIC Tournament Quarterfinal since the 2023-24 season. They will face Concordia University St. Paul on Sunday in the Sanford Pentagon. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.