MINOT, ND --The Minot State women's basketball team rallied back behind a game tying 3-pointer from Lucy Chapman after trailing by 12 points with 2:40 left in the fourth quarter to claim an 89-81 double overtime victory over the Northern State Wolves at home on Thursday.
The Beavers (4-5, 2-0) had five players score in double figures, led by Counts, who had 20 points and eight rebounds. Natasha Elliott chipped in as well with 14 points and four assists off the bench. Janie Wunderlich delivered a clutch performance off the bench for the Beavers with a personal season high eight points and seven rebounds.
Minot State shared the ball well in Thursday's game, racking up 21 assists on 33 made field goals. Kate Head's seven assists led the Beavers.
Minot State's defense held Northern State to only 14.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 34.1 percent from the field.
How It Happened
Minot State kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 16-13.
Northern State kept adding to that lead, building a 20-15 advantage before Minot State went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Amber Stevahn, to take a 21-20 lead. The Beavers took a 31-29 advantage heading into halftime. Minot State forced three Northern State turnovers in the period and turned them into five points.
Northern State then took a 50-42 lead following intermission before Minot State went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Counts, to trim its deficit to 50-48 with 1:20 to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Minot State knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 17 total points.
Northern State widened its lead in the fourth, constructing a 67-55 advantage before Minot State went on an 8-0 run, finished off by Janie Wunderlich's layup, to shrink the deficit to 67-63 with 1:26 to go in the fourth. The Beavers rally continued as they outscored Northern State 7-3 the rest of the way to tie it at 70-70 and send the game to overtime. Lucy Chapman's 3-pointer sent the contest to an extra period with just three seconds left. Minot State fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 22 points.
Minot State grabbed an 81-79 lead with 2:07 left in the second overtime before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Counts' jumper, to increase its advantage to 86-79 with 57 seconds to go in the period. The Beavers coasted the rest of the way for the 89-81 win.
Game Notes
» The Beavers rallied from a two-point 50-48 third quarter deficit to force the game into overtime.
» The Beavers made half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down 10 of 20 shots.
» The Beavers held the Wolves to only 34.1 percent shooting from the field.
» Minot State recorded 21 total assists in the game.
» Minot State had a great day defensively, holding Northern State to 15 percent from three point land on 27 attempts.
» Five Minot State players scored 10 or more points.
» Anna Counts led the Beavers with 20 points.
» Minot State got a game-high 11 rebounds from Amber Stevahn.
Next Time Out
The Beavers travel to Minnesota following tonight's game to face Minnesota State University Moorhead. Minot State will take on the Dragons Saturday, Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m. to round out the weekend.
