MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University was outscored 16-8 in the second quarter and couldn't mount a sizeable comeback as Southwest Minnesota State topped the Beavers 52-41 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference women's basketball Friday at the Minot State Dome.

The run in the second quarter broke an 11-11 tie at the end of the first quarter and gave SMSU a 37-29 lead at the break.

"Defensively, we were pretty solid, but you have to make shots," said MSU head coach Sheila Green Gerding. "We were good defensively most of the night. But 20 percent isn't going to win games."

Minot State (3-20 overall, 1-16 NSIC) never got its shooting game on track. The Beavers finished shooting 21.8 percent from the field and hit just one 3-pointer in 17 attempts. MSU did hold an 18-7 advantage on the offensive glass and hit 16 of 23 free throws to stay in the game.

SMSU (3-18, 3-14) didn't fare much better, shooting just 37.5 percent from the field, but knocked just enough shots to keep MSU from making a comeback. The Mustangs hit five 3-poitners and went 11 for 15 from the line.

Caleigh Rodning led SMSU with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while Taylor Holicky pulled down 13 rebounds to go along with eight points in the win.

Kristal Flower came back after an injury to score 11 points and added seven rebounds for the Beavers. Kori Eurich also scored 11 and pulled down seven board, hitting the team's only 3. Kari Clements scored six and added five boards in the loss.

"It was nice to have Kristal back in the lineup, she gives us a solid post presence and is a solid rebounder," Green Gerding said.

Minot State returns to the Dome Saturday, taking on the University of Sioux Falls starting at 4 p.m.

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.