After a slow start, the University of Sioux Falls outhustled Minot State University, recording nine offensive rebounds which they turned into nine second half points Saturday night to pull off a 71-65 comeback win in their final home game of the season. With the Win, the Cougars record their second perfect home record (11-0) in the last three seasons and move to 16-8 on the year, while Minot falls to 3-21.

The majority of the first half was dominated by the Beavers. After trailing 7-6 near the 17 minute mark, Minot would heat up from deep, knocking down four 3-pointers over the next nine minutes of play, recording a 12-3 run to secure a 13 point first half lead.

USF responded with a 9-0 run to close the half and cut their deficit to just four points at the break.

The matchup of the two big men in the first half alone was worth the price of admission, as both were in double-digits by intermission. Minot's forward Josh Johnson went 3-6 from the field including two 3-pointers to notch 10 points, while senior forward Skyler Bloch got off to a great start with 11 first half points for the Cougars.

One minute into the second half USF reclaimed the lead. The Cougars maintained a one to five point advantage for several minutes, but they looked for a spark to pull away.

USF found that spark in their freshman guard Bretson McNeal. McNeal, who knocked down four big-time threes in yesterday's win, was back at it again. He checked into the game and nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Cougars a 47-40 advantage with 11 minutes to play.

The Cougars would stretch their lead to nine on a David Maxwell 3-pointer near the four minute mark, which seemed to secure a victory, but Minot had other things in mind.

Minot slowly chipped away at their deficit, utilizing efficient time management by drawing fouls and cashing in at the free throw line making for a dramatic finish.

The Beavers traded threes for two free throws to make it a one possession game with 20 seconds to go. On the ensuing possession, Matt Yale drained another clutch 3-pointer to pull within two, but the Cougars demonstrated their ability to make free throw when it counts.

USF converted 12 of 13 free throw attempts in the final two minutes of the game to complete a season sweep of Minot with a 71-65 win at home.

Minot outshot USF, finishing 48% from the floor, while USF connected on 44% of their attempts, but the Cougars won the all-important battle on the glass, where they held a 33-24 advantage.

The Beavers had three players in Thomas Korf, Josh Johnson and Matt Yale score in double-figures. Johnson went 5-12 from the floor and knocked down a game-high four 3-pointers to lead Minot with 19 points from the forward position. Yale also found success from behind the arc, draining two 3-pointers during his 17 point effort. Korf accounted for three additional 3-point field goals for Minot. He added 13 points.

Bloch led the way for the Cougars on senior day. He went 9-17 from the floor and 8-10 at the line to finish with a game-high 26 points and seven rebounds.

A.J. Holland and McNeal provided another solid game from the back court. Holland went 8-10 from the line, most of which came in the final minutes of the game, to record 10 points. He also dished out a game-high six assists. McNeal chipped in 11 for the Cougars in just 15 minutes of play.

USF will travel to Las Vegas, Nev. next weekend to compete in the 2012 D2 Vegas Showdown. Fans can follow the games via live stats or video which can be found at www.tripsports.com