JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The difference between Minot State University's loss Friday at Valley City State and Saturday game at Jamestown College was pretty simple.

“Composure and focus,” said MSU head coach Sheila Green Gerding.

The No. 14 ranked Beavers built a 10-point lead in the second half and did not relinquish it as they topped the Jimmies 72-63 in Dakota Athletic Conference women's basketball at the Jamestown Civic Center.

MSU turned the ball over just 12 times and nailed 18 of 20 free throws to fend off any comeback attempts from Jamestown.

“That was really the two things that showed the composure that we really didn't show last night,” Green Gerding said. “And, when it got a little scary, it was from our seniors. That is what you expect.”

MSU's leading scorer was senior Caroline Folven (C, Byron, Ill.) with 20 points in just over 29 minutes. Senior Whitney Loftesnes (G, Velva, N.D.) added 11 points, pulled down four rebounds and had a blocked shot, while senior Kelly Pankratz (G, Malta, Mont.) added six points, four rebounds and had just two turnovers at the point.

“I thought Caroline had great overall weekend,” said Green Gerding. “She finished real well and got in the right position. Whitney did so many things for us. She made some shots and made the right pass on offense and was pretty active on defense.”

MSU (1-1 DAC, 5-2 overall) sprinted out to a 33-27 lead at halftime, that included a 13-4 run to start the game and pushed it to 49-35 with just over 12 minutes to play in the second on a quick 5-0 run with hoops by Loftesnes – from Pankratz on the break – and a 3-pointer from freshman Katie Hardy (F, Fairview, Mont.).

Jamestown College (1-1 DAC, 7-3 overall) cut the lead to 49-42 two minutes later on back-to-back baskets by Bridget Schuneman and got as close as 41-48 in the second half.

But Folven scored on a three-point play with 8:43 to play to push the lead back to six and it never dipped under that point the rest of the way.

“It came from the defensive end,” Green Gerding said. “We got some stops when we needed them and had a good defensive mindset. That carried over to the offense. We made good adjustments from one night to the next.”

Schueneman scored 16 points and Hannah Steele added 11 points and eight assists for the Jimmies. JC hit some key 3-pointers in the game, knocking down eight overall, but went just 8-for-32 from beyond the arc overall.

While the seniors were key down the stretch, MSU's youth played well all game as sophomore Lauren Safranski (G, Burnsville, Minn.), redshirt freshman Michael Larson (Hutchinson, Minn.), and freshmen Hardy and Christina Boag (F, Tamworth, Australia) gave the Beavers consistent minutes. Safranski had one of her best games of the season as she scored 13 points and dished out three assists, while playing solid defense. Boag scored eight points, Hardy hit for seven points and Larson had a team-high five rebounds.

“I was really, really happy with Lauren,” said Green Gerding. “She's getting better and you have to have her on the court because defensively, she is so tough and she's going to rebound for us. And, now she has some confidence and is looking to score.”

The Beavers have a day off before playing back-to-back nights again, playing host to Brandon University (Manitoba) Sunday at the MSU Dome (4 p.m.). MSU travels to the University of Manitoba Monday for a 7 p.m. game.

** Box score attached