MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University went from a high to a low in 10.1 seconds.

The Beavers Shyla Carr (Fr., G, Spokane, Wash.) nailed a 3-pointer from the wing with 10.1 seconds to play to give the Beavers a 60-59 lead.

But Minnesota State's Claire Ziegler had an answer on an offensive rebound putback with just 0.9 seconds to lift the Mavericks to a 61-60 win in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference women's basketball Saturday at the Minot State Dome.

"We came out flat and we weren't playing with much energy in the first half," said MSU head coach Sheila Green Gerding. "We talked about that at halftime so credit to the girls for playing with more energy and giving a little bit more effort playing in the second half.

"We could never get into a rhythm offensively."

Minot State (9-15 overall, 6-12 NSIC) defended the initial drive by the Mavericks, but after a loose ball in the paint, Ziegler spun and scored from point blank range. Minot last-second heave was short and kept the Beavers from a weekend sweep.

The Beavers trailed by four at half after Mankato led by as many as 11 in the first half. Minot State countered with a big third quarter for the second straight now, but couldn't build a lead greater than six points to shake the Mavericks.

Neither team led by more than six in the second half as Minot State's Sarah Lester (Sr., F, Frenchtown, Mont.) gave the Beavers its largest lead of the game with a jumper midway through the third quarter.

Lester led the Beavers with 21 points and added 12 rebounds in a solid weekend.

"Sarah saved our hides a few times just because she would make plays," Green Gerding said. "It was really an offensive struggle tonight so defense was really important. I think she put too much pressure on herself (early in the season) and now maybe she's having more fun with it."

The Mavericks (7-15, 6-12) had two players in double figures as Madison Lee hit five 3-pointers for 23 points and Ziegler finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the win.

While Lester was the only MSU player in double figures, Alex Haley (Jr., G, Libertyville, Ill.), Madison Wald (Fr., G, Minot, N.D.) and Carr all scored nine points. Amanda Sansaver (Sr., G, Wolf Point, Mont.) finished with six points, three assists and two rebound for the Beavers.

Minot State plays its final road games of the regular season next weekend, traveling to Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State.
 
About Minot State
Minot State University is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and NCAA Division II offering 14 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletics programs. The NSIC is a premier NCAA DII, 16-member conference featuring teams in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. The Beavers are the only public NCAA Division II institution in the state of North Dakota.