Box Score LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Minot State University's frustration looked like it was going to boil over after a difficult first half.

But that changed in the second half.

Minot State outscored McKendree University 55-43 in the second half to end its lengthy losing streak with an 89-78 in nonconference NCAA Division II women's basketball Sunday at the D2 Vegas Showdown played at the Centennial Hills Community Center.

MSU went 1-1 in the tournament snapping an eight-game losing streak and ended the Beavers transitional season with an 11-16 overall record. Minot State begins play in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference next season.

The Beavers played their second consecutive tight ballgame at the tournament after falling on a buzzer-beater the night before to William Jewell College. The game featured 18 lead changes and 16 ties.

The game was still in the balance with just over four minutes to play, but the Beavers made a late-game run. It started with a pair of free throws by Lauren Safranski (Jr., G, Burnsville, Minn.), giving MSU a 73-69 lead. It grew to 75-69 on a Carly Boag (So., F, Tamworth, Australia) basket off a lob from Morgan Klose (Fr., G, Fairview, N.D.) and extend to a 78-69 lead – the largest of the game to that point – on a 3-pointer by Klose.

McKendree (8-22 overall) took a 35-34 lead into the locker room mainly behind Caty Ponce 3-point shooting. She hit three 3s in the first half and had 11 points at the break.

The Beavers struggled in the first half hitting shots, going just 8 for 22 from the floor. But MSU countered that with a 16-for-20 effort from the free throw line. MSU finished the night hitting 34 of 43 free throws and outscored McKendree 34-16 from the line.

Ashley Agee led the Bearcats with 20 points, hitting 7 of 9 from the line and adding three 3-pointers. She and Ponce combined for all eight 3s on the night for McKendree. Ponce added 17 points and Ashley Dressler added 12 points in the loss.

MSU had outstanding balance as five players scored in double figures and six players hit for at least nine. Klose and Safranski paced the Beavers with 18 points each. Klose hit five 3s, while Safranski went 8 for 11 from the stripe. Boag and Sacarra Molina (Jr., G, Hinsdale, Mont.) finished with 14 each. Boag finished with a game-high 14 rebounds, while Molina added six assists, four steals and four rebounds. Christina Boag (So., F, Tamworth, Australia) also hit for a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds and Katie Hardy (So., F, Fairview, N.D.) added nine points for MSU.