BOX SCORE

DICKINSON, N.D. – Minot State University had three players in double figures and steadily pulled away from Dickinson State to take a 77-48 exhibition NCAA Division II women's basketball game Wednesday at Scott Gymnasium.

The matchup between former NAIA rivals was all Minot State after a 13-0 run midway through the first half. The Beavers broke a 10-10 with the run and cruised to a 34-21 halftime lead. Minot State outscored DSU (0-3 overall) 43-27 in the second half.

The Beavers had solid offensive balance as Christina Boag's (Sr., F, Tamworth, Australia) 12 points paced three players in double figures and was one of 11 Beavers to score. Boag also led all players with nine rebounds. Caitlin McLachlan (Fr., F, Strathfieldsaye, Australia) had a fine debut with 11 points and five rebounds and Katie Hardy (Sr., F, Fairview, N.D.) added 10 points and six rebounds.

"We were very happy with the balance that we had tonight in the scoring column," said MSU head coach Sheila Green Gerding. "We were very unselfish and made the extra pass. Overall, it was a struggle at times offensively in the first half. But, we got going in the second half, got the ball inside and did a better job in transition."

While the 13-0 run was significant in the first half, Minot State erased any doubt in the game's outcome with a quick run to start the second half to push the lead to 20-plus points.  MSU held the Blue Hawks to just 31.5 percent shooting for the game and a pedestrian 5-for-21 on 3-pointers.

The Beavers weren't great offensively as they shot 26-for-61 from the floor, but were a stellar 19 of 22 from the free-throw line.

Lorna Shepherd scored 14 points to pace DSU, while Ashley Bentz scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds in the loss.

Diondra Denton (So., G, Great Falls, Mont.) and Alex Haley (So., G, Libertyville, Ill.) both chipped in with eight points while Savana Kingsbury (Jr., F, Omaha, Neb.) and Sarah Lester (Jr., G, Frenchtown, Mont.) scored six points apiece in the win.

The Beavers will continue exhibition play and be back on the road next week as they travel to NCAA Division I University of Montana Nov. 7 and Montana State Nov. 9.