(MINOT, N.D.) – The Minot State women's basketball team dropped another conference tilt this afternoon to the visiting Cougars of Sioux Falls. The 14^th-ranked USF squad proved their national standing by outscoring the Beavers 87-53.
 
The Cougars scored the first eight points of the game and continued their offensive output and outscored the Beavers 23-10 at the end of the first quarter. Sioux Falls took advantage of a 44.8% three-point shooting night and a 47.7% field goal shooting performance. The second quarter also belonged to USF as they recorded their second 20-point period of the game and held the Beavers to just 12 points. Following the halftime break, Minot State finally found a rhythm on offense and outscored the Cougars 24-21 in the third quarter. The scales tipped heavily the opposite direction in the final period, however, as USF put up 23 points compared to MSU's seven.
 
The Cougars were led by a balanced offensive attack with four girls recording double-digit points. Jessie Geer, Kaely Hummel, and Augusta Thramer each had 15 points to lead the Cougars while Mariah Szymanski put in 14. Jacey Huinker snared the most rebounds on the team with five. Szymanski also distributed the basketball well with five assists to her credit.
 
Minot State's leading scorer Mariah Payne continued to show her abilities with 18 points to lead the Beavers. Guard Bethany Theodore was the only other MSU player in double-figures with 10. The Beavers cleaned up the glass by out-rebounding USF 36-26. Three Minot women recorded seven boards to lead the team including Anna Counts, Calli Delsman, and Mollie Wilson. Theodore and reserve guard Lucy Chapman dished out three assists each.
 
The Beavers are now 0-12 in the NSIC following the loss and 3-13 overall. USF won their 17^th game of the year and are now 10-2 in the conference.
 
The Beavers' next four games will be away from the MSU Dome. Minot State will travel to Bemidji State on Friday, Jan. 24 and then to Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, Jan. 25.