BOX SCOREMISSOULA, Mont. – Minot State University women's basketball struggled with NCAA Division I University of Montana's defense in the second half as the Grizzlies pulled away for a 75-46 exhibition women's basketball win Friday at Dahlberg Arena.
The Beavers led by as many as four in the first half and played well, trailing by just five points at halftime, 30-25. But the Grizzlies held the Beavers to five second-half field goals and just 21 points, outscoring MSU 45-21 in the second.
Turnovers were a big part of the Griz run in the second half as well as they forced 24 MSU miscues in the game and coughed up the ball just eight times. Montana turned those 24 turnovers into 22 points.
The Beavers hit three 3-pointers in the first half to stay in the ballgame, but Montana's paint presence bothered the Beavers. UM outscored Minot State 34-14 in the paint.
The Grizzlies finished with three players in double figures, paced by McCalle Fell's 15 points and nine rebounds. Kellie Cole and Kayleigh Valley chipped in with 12 points apiece, with Cole dishing out five assists.
Alex Haley (So., G, Libertyville, Ill.) paced the Beavers with 11 points off the bench. She was 3-for-4 from the floor and hit all four free throws.
Diondra Denton (So., G, Great Falls, Mont.) added nine points and six rebounds in a reserve role and to keep the theme going,
Sarah Lester (Jr., G, Frenchtown, Mont.) paced the Beaver with nine rebounds and added five points and two steals.
The Beavers also go six points apiece from
Katie Hardy (Sr., F, Fairview, N.D.) and
Christina Boag (Sr., F, Tamworth, Australia), while Hardy added seven rebounds in the loss.
Minot State continues on the road, continues with exhibition play and continues with Big Sky Conference opponents with a trip to Montana State Sunday in Bozeman, Mont.
– GO BEAVERS –
