BILLINGS, MT -- The Minot State women's basketball team took a 50-47 lead into the fourth quarter, but could not hang on and fell 74-69 to the Nova Southeastern Sharks at Alterowitz Gymnasium Sunday.
The Beavers had three players score in double figures, led by Natasha Elliott, who had 16 points and six rebounds. Amber Stevahn added 15 points and Anna Counts helped out with 14 points.
Minot State shared the ball well in Sunday's game, racking up 21 assists on 28 made field goals. Individually, Kate Head led the way for the Beavers with seven assists, and Emma Mogen also chipped in with four assists of her own.
Minot State forced 14 Nova Southeastern turnovers. The Beavers turned those takeaways into 18 points on the offensive end of the floor. Stevahn, Elliott, and Mollie Wilson each added one steal for Minot State.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 12-8 advantage, Minot State went on a 6-0 run with 4:10 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Elliott, to increase its lead to 18-8. The Beavers entered the quarter break with a 20-14 advantage. Minot State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 20 points close to the basket.
The Beavers maintained their lead in the game's second frame and entered halftime with a 36-32 edge. Minot State forced two Nova Southeastern turnovers in the period and turned them into four points.
Nova Southeastern then took a 47-42 lead following intermission before Minot State went on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Head, grabbing a 50-47 lead to end the third quarter. Minot State played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 14 points in the paint.
Minot State went on a 9-0 run, finished off by Elliott's three, to grow the lead to 61-51 with 5:31 to go in the contest. Nova Southeastern then asserted control, outscoring the Beavers 23-8 the rest of the way to hand Minot State the 74-69 loss. Minot State fired away from deep in the fourth quarter, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 19 points.
All-Tournament Team
Minot State's Stevahn, who averaged 19.3 points for the 3-game weekend series, was named to the D2CCA Tip Off Classic at the Trailhead all-tournament team.
Game Notes
» The Beavers put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 75 percent of made field goals.
» Minot State had an efficient shooting day, making 28 of 43 attempts from the field.
» The Minot State defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Natasha Elliott led the Beavers with 16 points.
» Minot State recorded a game-high six rebounds from Natasha Elliott.
Looking Ahead
Minot State will host Black Hills State University in back-to-back games beginning Friday, November 12. The Beavers play Friday morning at 11 a.m., followed by a Saturday night game at 8 p.m. at the MSU Dome.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
