MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University built an early lead over Montana State-Northern and never relinquished it as the Beavers earned a 75-69 win over the MSU-N in nonconference NAIA women's basketball Saturday at the MSU Dome.

Minot got out of the gates well, going up 3-0 on a Whitney Loftesnes (Sr., G, Velva, N.D.) 3-pointer in the first two minutes of play. MSU never trailed from that point on.

The long ball proved to be an important weapon for the Beavers as they hit 10 3-pointers in the game. Loftesnes led the way with three 3s for nine total points in the game, while Kallie Erickson (Sr., G, Forville, N.D.) and Dora Garza (Jr., G, San Antonio, Texas) had two 3s each.

The Beavers (3-1 overall) enjoyed a 39-32 halftime lead and pushed that lead to double digits midway through the second half on one of Garza's 3s. However, MSU was never able to blow the game open.

The Skylights (3-3 overall) got to within 69-67 late in the second half on a three-point play by Taylor Keller, but MSU's Sacarra Molina () hit a basket to push it to a two possession game with just under a minute to play in the second half. The Molina basket ended a 12-2 Northern run and forced the Skylights to take a desperation 3-pointer late.

Garza was solid in the game as she finished with 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds from the point position. Caroline Folven () added a team-high 15 points and five rebounds for the Beavers.

Samm Schermele scored a game-high 21 points and added four assists and three rebounds for the Skylights.

MSU swept the season series from Northern – MSU head coach Sheila Green Gerding's alma mater – as the Beavers defeated the Skylights 69-66 last Saturday in Havre, Mont. MSU plays again Sunday with an afternoon matchup with Briercrest College (Saskatchewan) beginning at 4 p.m. at the Dome.