Box Score (ABERDEEN, S.D.) – The Minot State women's basketball team was defeated in its regular-season finale this afternoon at Northern State in a heartbreaking loss. The home Wolves defended their territory and celebrated a 73-71 victory as a Mariah Payne missed a difficult lay-up to tie the contest with under five seconds to play.
 
Both teams played ferociously through the first half with Northern State taking a one-point advantage into the hiatus. As they have several times this season, the Beavers regained momentum in the third period and outscored NSU 21-18 in that quarter. The Wolves then owned the fourth and squeaked out with a campaign-closing win to finish the year 9-13 in NSIC play.
 
Minot State was led by Payne with 28 points and seven rebounds, both team-highs. Payne, and the rest of the Beaver offense, benefitted from Bethany Theodore's generosity as the junior guard made five assists. Theodore, as well as Haley Hildenbrand, were the two other MSU players to score in double-figures with 12 and 10, respectively.
 
Brianna Kusler led Northern State in scoring with 17 points followed by Jessi Marti with 12 and Shariah Smith with 10. Kusler also had a team-high seven boards while Marti made five assists to lead the squad.
 
The Beavers finished the 2019-20 regular season 7-18 overall and 4-17 in conference play.