MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State women's basketball team dropped a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game on Friday night in the Minot State Dome, as Minnesota State defeated the Beavers, 72-54.

Minot State dropped to 6-9 (3-8 NSIC) on the season while the Mavericks improved to 5-11 (3-7 NSIC).

Minnesota State jumped out to a quick 24-14 lead after the first quarter while shooting 64.3 percent from the field and four of six from three-point range.

The Mavericks led 38-25 at the half over the Beavers, as Minot State shot 37.9 percent from the field in the first half.

Both teams went back and forth in the second half, as the Mavericks outscored the Beavers 21-19 in the third quarter and 11-10 in the fourth quarter.

Minot State finished with a 19-6 lead in bench scoring and 13-9 advantage in points off turnovers.

Minot State shot 37.1 percent from the field while the Mavericks shot 42.4 percent. Minnesota State notched a 41-38 rebounding advantage over the Beavers.

Mariah Payne led the Beavers in scoring with 11 points, followed by Calli Delsman with 10 points.

Whitney Molina grabbed a team-high seven rebounds while Diondra Denton led the Beaver defense with three steals.

The Beavers return to action tomorrow when Minot State hosts Concordia-St. Paul at 4 p.m. in the Minot State Dome.