Saturday, February 7, 2026, proved to be a banner day for college basketball fans across the Midwest and the Rockies, as three dramatic men’s games delivered edge-of-your-seat finishes, clutch performances, and playoff-race intrigue. Western Colorado, Minot State, and Minnesota State each showcased resilience and timely execution, thrilling their home and road crowds while making statements in their respective conference battles.
Let’s start in Denver, where Western Colorado stormed into Auraria Events Center and toppled MSU Denver 75-69 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action. The Mountaineers, who entered the contest locked in a tie with the Roadrunners at 7-15 overall and 5-9 in RMAC play, wasted little time grabbing control after a brief early deficit. Quincy Scott’s layup at the 11:19 mark of the first half gave Western a 15-14 lead—a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the night.
By the six-minute mark in the first half, Western Colorado had ballooned the margin to 32-20, thanks to aggressive rebounding and efficient offense. But MSU Denver refused to fold, closing the half on a 16-5 run to cut the deficit to a single point, 37-36, as the teams headed to the locker room. The Roadrunners even snatched the first basket of the second half, momentarily stealing back the lead. However, Mason Mottashed responded with a clutch three-pointer on the next possession, swinging momentum right back to the visitors. From there, Western Colorado’s balanced attack took over.
Aidan McDowell led the way with a game-high 21 points, including a pivotal short jumper and crucial free throws down the stretch to keep the Roadrunners at bay. After the game, the numbers told the story: Jordan Kuac added 14 points, Mottashed contributed 13, and Scott finished with 12 points and a game-best seven rebounds. Joanis Koulisianis chipped in with nine points and six rebounds, helping Western dominate the glass with a 37-28 rebounding advantage. The Mountaineers’ starters accounted for nearly all the scoring, and their 82% mark (18-for-22) from the free throw line—highlighted by McDowell’s 9-for-11 effort—proved vital in fending off MSU Denver’s late pushes.
“We really locked in on the boards and made our free throws when it counted,” said a Western Colorado coach, echoing the night’s theme. The Mountaineers limited the Roadrunners to just 11 second-chance points, a testament to their focus and physicality in the paint. With the win, Western Colorado pulled even with MSU Denver in the RMAC standings and set up a pivotal homestand against Adams State and Fort Lewis College, both crucial for their postseason tournament hopes.
Up north in Minot, North Dakota, the Beavers of Minot State delivered their own brand of late-game heroics, edging Minnesota-Duluth 85-83 in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference thriller. The star of the night? Deuce Benjamin, who poured in a game-high 26 points and capped his performance with a dramatic buzzer-beater, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The Beavers (10-14, 7-11 NSIC) showcased impressive ball movement, tallying 16 assists on 31 made field goals. Isaiah Alexander was everywhere—he notched 17 points, led the team with six rebounds, dished out five assists, and collected three steals. Darik Dissette also chipped in 17 points, while Trey Brandt provided timely shooting, including a first-half three-pointer that ignited a 5-0 run and gave Minot State a 26-22 lead. By halftime, the Beavers held a 49-42 advantage, buoyed by their ability to capitalize on turnovers and offensive boards.
But Minnesota-Duluth wasn’t about to go quietly. The Bulldogs clawed back in the second half, briefly taking a 74-72 lead. That’s when Minot State’s resilience shone through—a 7-0 run, capped by Brandt’s triple, restored a 79-74 cushion with under four minutes to play. The Bulldogs kept pressing, but Benjamin’s late-game magic sealed the deal. With three seconds left, he calmly knocked down the game-winner, sending the Beavers faithful home happy.
“Benjamin hit a buzzer beater with three seconds left,” as the game notes confirmed. Minot State’s defense forced 15 turnovers and converted those into 18 points, a difference-maker in such a tight contest. The Beavers also shot a robust 50% from beyond the arc, draining eight of 16 attempts, and outrebounded the Bulldogs 24-20, including 10 offensive boards. Alexander’s all-around effort and Benjamin’s clutch scoring were the storylines of a win that keeps Minot State’s postseason aspirations alive.
Meanwhile, in Mankato, Minnesota, the Taylor Center crowd was treated to a classic as the Minnesota State Mavericks (17-9, 11-7 NSIC) edged out Southwest Minnesota State 74-71, stretching their winning streak to a remarkable 10 games. The Mavericks set the tone early with five first-half steals, aggressive defense, and timely bench contributions. Traijan Sain’s fast-break layup opened the scoring, and senior Malcolm Jones delivered back-to-back buckets to establish an early rhythm.
The Mavericks’ bench was crucial, chipping in 12 points in the first half and helping the home team to a 37-28 halftime lead. Minnesota State’s defense stifled the Mustangs, holding them to 38% shooting before the break. In the second half, freshman Phoenix Childs kicked things off with a three-pointer, and Colton Benson soon followed with back-to-back treys, extending the Mavericks’ advantage. Sain’s hot hand continued—he finished with 15 points, including three three-pointers and the dagger from deep with 54 seconds left to ice the game.
Arhman Lewis was a force, tallying 13 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds, while Jones contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. The Mavericks shot 45% from the field and 41% from three-point range, connecting on seven of 17 attempts. Their consistency from deep has been a hallmark, with at least eight triples in eight consecutive games. On the glass, Minnesota State edged the Mustangs in offensive rebounds, snatching seven second-chance opportunities.
For Southwest Minnesota State, Jakob Braaten led with 18 points, six assists, and seven rebounds, while Micah Schlaak posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Despite a late surge that saw the Mustangs close the gap, Sain’s late three-pointer and the Mavericks’ composure at the line kept the win streak alive. Next up, Minnesota State travels to Sioux Falls to face the Augustana Vikings on February 12, aiming to keep their momentum rolling as the postseason draws near.
Saturday’s action offered a glimpse into the grit and excitement that define college basketball at this time of year. From McDowell’s free throws in Denver to Benjamin’s buzzer-beater in Minot and Sain’s clutch shooting in Mankato, fans were treated to a showcase of heart, hustle, and high drama. As the playoff races heat up, these teams have shown they’re ready for the spotlight—and with more crucial games on the horizon, the best may be yet to come.