MINOT, N.D. -- The Minot State women's basketball team held Sioux Falls to just 16.7 percent from beyond the arc in a 3-for-18 shooting performance on the way to a 64-38 victory against the Cougars at the MSU Dome on Friday in NSIC action.
The Beavers (6-9 overall, 2-7 NSIC) had two players score in double figures, led by Natasha Elliott, who had 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Kate Head added 13 points, four assists, and four steals, and Vilborg Jonsdottir added nine points, five assists, and three steals.
Minot State collected 32 rebounds in Friday's game compared to Sioux Falls' 26, led by Elliott's seven boards.
The Minot State defense held Sioux Falls shooters to only 31.9 percent from the field, including 16.7 percent from three-point range. The Cougars did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only four offensive rebounds and scored two second-chance points while Minot State pulled down 25 defensive rebounds.
Coach's Comments
"You've got to give the young ladies credit on that, they came out fired up, ready to go with pressure defense, we're very capable with that," MInot State head coach Mike Brandt said.
"Our intensity level of defense is really top quality in conference, and they played hard, they played active, had their hands up, didn't foul much, in the passing lanes, and this was probably our best help-side defense we've had all year."
How It Happened
After playing to a 2-2 tie early in the game, Minot State went on a 12-0 run with 7:39 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Kennedy Harris, to take a 14-2 lead. The Beavers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with an 18-10 advantage. Minot State did most of its first-quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 18 points close to the basket.
Minot State built that first-quarter lead to 26-14 before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 6:36 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Jonsdottir, to increase its lead to 32-14. The Cougars cut into that lead, but the Beavers still enjoyed a 35-20 advantage heading into halftime. Minot State saw non-starters score eight of its 17 total points off the bench in the quarter.
Following intermission, Minot State continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 45-29 before going on a 7-0 run to expand its lead further to 52-29 with 21 seconds to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Cougars had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Beavers still entered the fourth quarter with a 52-31 edge. Minot State turned one offensive rebound into three second-chance points on the way to scoring 17 total points in the quarter.
Minot State kept its lead intact before going on an 8-0 run to grow the lead to 64-36 with 2:31 to go in the contest. The Cougars narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Beavers still cruised the rest of the way for the 64-38 win. Minot State took advantage of seven Sioux Falls turnovers in the quarter, scoring four points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Beavers held the Cougars to only 31.9 percent shooting from the field.
» The Beavers never trailed after taking an 18-10 first quarter lead.
» Minot State had a stellar day defensively, holding Sioux Falls to 17 percent from three-point land on 18 attempts.
» The Beavers forced 23 Sioux Falls turnovers while committing only 10 on the other end.
» Minot State had a 32-26 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minot State defense forced 23 turnovers.
» The Beavers were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Natasha Elliott led the Beavers with a game-high 15 points.
» Minot State got a game-high seven rebounds from Natasha Elliott.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
