MANKATO, Minn. – Minot State University built a 10-point lead in the first half and maintained a six-point cushion at halftime, but couldn't hold off Minnesota State falling 75-61 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference women's basketball Saturday at the Taylor Center.

The Beavers (9-15 overall, 4-14 NSIC) had the 10-point lead as late at 1:30 to play in the first half, but Minnesota State (16-6, 13-4) hit a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer to start a swing back in their favor.

Minot State had trouble keeping the Mavericks off the offensive glass, giving up 14 offensive rebounds. Minnesota State outrebounded the Beavers 40-33 overall in the game.

While Minot saw its lead disappear in the second half, the Beavers didn't go away either. It was just a two-point contest as Katie Hardy (Sr., F, Fairview, N.D.) and Christin Boag (Sr., F, Tamworth, Australia) hit back-to-back layups. Hardy's bucket off a feed from Amanda Sansaver (Jr., G, Wolf Point, Mont.) trimmed the Mavericks lead to just 57-55.

But the Beavers went cold for the next three minutes as Minnesota State went on a 9-0 run to lead 66-55 on a 3-pointer by Sammie Delzotto. Minot State got it back under 10 on a pair of free throws by Alex Haley (So., G, Libertyville, Ill.) at the 2:34 mark, but the Mavs Ashley Olson canned another 3-pointer on the next possession to ice the game.

Minnesota State outscored Minot State 27-9 on 3s despite shooting just 31 percent from beyond the arc, taking 24 more triples then the Beavers.

The Mavericks had solid balance as Delzotto and Lexi Ulfers scored 16 points apiece with Olson scoring 14 to pace Minnesota State.

Sarah Lester (Jr., G, Frenchtown, Mont.) provided a spark off the bench for MSU with 15 points, hitting two 3-pointers and added six rebounds and two steals. Boag finished with 13 points and four rebounds, while Hardy and Savana Kingsbury (Jr., F, Omaha, Neb.) combined for 15 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

Minot State returns to the MSU Dome for a pair of games – the final two home games of the season – next week taking on Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State.