Box Score MINOT, N.D. – At times, Minot State University's offense sputtered Tuesday night.

The Beavers shot just 31 percent from the floor and made only 2 of 12 3-pointers in the game.

But MISU's defense was there to keep any runs in check.

The Beavers held Jamestown College to just 25.9 percent shooting for the game and Morgan Klose (So., G, Fairview, N.D.) hit a key 3-pointer as the Beavers defeated the Jimmies 58-55 in nonconference NCAA Division II women's basketball at the MSU Dome.

“We switched to man in the second half and did a good job in that,” said MISU head coach Sheila Green Gerding about her defense. “We have a lot of places where we need to learn still. But this was a good effort in a lot of different ways. We need to get better, but we at least learned in a win.”

After a big 14-2 run to start the game, Minot State (1-0 overall) trailed much of the end of the first half and nearly all of the second half as the Beavers struggled to score consistently and junior post Carly Boag (Tamworth, Australia) sat with four fouls.

But down the stretch, the Beavers defense was very good and MISU hit key free throws. In fact, Minot State was 14 for 16 from the free-throw line in the second half.

“I was happy with how we responded there. We were 6 for 12 in the first half and then come back and shoot 14 of 16,” Green Gerding said. “It was something we talked about. That was great focus from the girls.”

Klose's 3-pointer on a feed from Sacarra Molina (Sr., G, Hinsdale, Mont.) was just the second made 3 for Minot State and Klose's first on four attempts. According to Green Gerding, both the shot and, of course, the make were big steps for the sophomore.

“She didn't hesitate,” she said. “She wanted it and took it. That's a really big step for her from her freshman to her sophomore season.”

Molina was solid the entire game as she led the Beavers with a game-high 16 points. She also pulled down three rebounds and added two assists and a steal.

“Sacarra did a great job of going to the basket,” said Green Gerding. “When Carly was out of the game, we were fueled by our guards. Then, when she came back in, we didn't force it to her. Savana (Savana Kingsbury, Fr., F, Omaha, Neb.) did a good job on their posts, shutting them down and forcing some bad passes and Frannie (Francesca DeAngelis, Sr., G, Laguna Niguel, Calif.) did a good job on the boards when Carly was out.”  

Morgan Mathison scored 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, to pace Jamestown College (5-1 overall). The Jimmies played the game as an exhibition. Maggie Seter added nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.

Along with Molina, Boag finished in double figures with 10 points and added seven rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. Alexandra Haley (Fr., G, Libertyville, Ill.) scored eight points, while Sarah Lester (Fr., G, Frenchtown, Mont.) finished with a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with six points.

Minot State returns to the Dome for another nonconference game Tuesday, taking on Concordia College at 7 p.m.