MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State women's basketball team dropped a 77-58 decision vs. No. 16 Northern State on Friday night in the Minot State Dome.

The Beavers fall to 4-2 (1-1 NSIC) on the season while the Wolves improve to 4-1 (1-0 NSIC).

Northern State forced Minot State to commit seven turnovers on their way to outscoring the Beavers 24-13 in the first quarter. 

The Beavers used a 7-3 rally off layups from Mariah Payne and Kristal Flowers and a three-pointer from Kari Clements to cut a 20-point deficit to 45-29 at the half. 

After being outscored 15-10 in the third quarter and trailing 60-39 going into the fourth quarter, Minot State trimmed the NSU lead down to 60-44 off a layup and three-pointer from Payne.

Payne paced the Beaver scoring attack with nine points while Holly Johnson, Kristal Flowers and Kari Clements added eight points apiece. 

Flowers grabbed a team-high six rebounds, followed by Johnson with five rebounds.

Payne and Clements led the Beavers in dishing out five assists each while Madison Wald recorded a team-high three steals.

Northern State finished with a 51-34 advantage in rebounding over Minot State and shot 43 percent from the field while limiting the Beavers to 34 percent shooting.

Minot State returns to action tomorrow night when they host Minnesota State Moorhead at 4 p.m. in the Minot State Dome.