ABERDEEN, S.D. – It wasn't the start Minot State University was looking for.

Northern State University started the game on a 19-8 run and did not look back, topping MSU 81-61 in nonconference NCAA Division II women's basketball Tuesday at Wachs Arena.

The Wolves (11-7 overall) seemly didn't miss early as they started with 7-of-10 shooting from the floor, including 3 for 4 on 3-pointers. It didn't slow down much from there as NSU hit 6-of-9 3-pointers in the first half.

Minot State (10-8), meanwhile, never got its offense going. The Beavers shot just 33.3 percent from the floor.

Not only did the Wolves starters kick start NSU's game, but the opening five were outstanding throughout. Northern's Emily Becken, Sarah Hintz, Alison Kusler, Mikayla Barondeau and Jenna Higgens combined for 58 points and 33 rebounds while shooting 24 for 39. Hintz, who led all scorers with 21 points, was 9 for 10 alone.

Along with NSU's scoring, the Wolves were solid on the glass, outrebounding the Beavers 45-30. The loss snapped the Beavers three-game winning streak.

The Beavers had eight players score in the game, but only April Nakatani (Sr., G, Sacramento, Calif.) led the team with 15 points off the bench. Lauren Safranski (Jr., G, Burnsville, Minn.) added 10 points and four rebounds. Carly Boag (So., F, Tamworth, Australia) led the Beavers with eight rebounds to go along with nine points.

The match up renews an old rivalry between the two school which haven't met in 14 years in women's basketball and serves as a preview of games to come as Minot State joins NSU in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference next season.

MSU is off until Jan. 26 and 27 as the Beavers play host to University of Sioux Falls for a pair of games at the MSU Dome.

– GO BEAVERS –