BEMIDJI, Minn. -- Sydney Gustavsson scored 22 points to help lead the Minot State women's basketball team past the Bemidji State Beavers 68-56 on the road Friday in NSIC action.
The Beavers (2-7 overall, 1-1 NSIC) had four players score in double figures, led by Gustavsson, who had 22 points. Emily Srejma tacked on 14 points and Taylor Goss chipped in as well with 10 points and four assists as Minot State jumped on top 29-13 after one quarter, making 12-of-17 shots (70.59 percent) to start the game.
Led by Goss' two offensive rebounds, Minot State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 10 boards that resulted in eight second-chance points.
The Minot State defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Friday's game, forcing 17 Bemidji State turnovers while committing 10. Those takeaways turned into 22 points on the offensive end of the floor. Lorelei McIver led the way individually for the Beavers with two steals.
Coach's Comments
"Really great win for us," Coach Mike Brandt said. "Our first quarter was phenomenal and the second half we just had a lot of grit and fight to hang on for a victory.
"Road wins are especially hard to come by in the NSIC and with such a young team it's really exciting. The going gets tougher tomorrow but we'll give it another shot!"
How It Happened
After playing to a 9-9 tie early in the game, Minot State went on a 20-0 run with 6:47 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Jaime Skeggs, to take a 29-9 lead. The Beavers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 29-13 advantage. Minot State did most of its first-quarter damage in the paint, scoring 16 of its 29 points close to the basket.
Minot State kept its first-quarter lead intact before going on a 10-0 run starting at the 8:34 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 41-15. The host Beavers cut into that lead, but the Minot State Beavers still enjoyed a 44-26 advantage heading into halftime.
After intermission, Minot State held on to its advantage and owned a 56-42 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Minot State played well near the basket, scoring six of its 12 points in the paint.
Minot State kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Ashley Wacha's three, to grow the lead to 61-44 with 5:45 to go in the contest. The Bemidji State Beavers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Minot State Beavers still cruised the rest of the way for the 68-56 win. Minot State took advantage of four Bemidji State turnovers in the quarter, scoring three points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Beavers never trailed after taking a 29-13 first-quarter lead.
» Minot State had a 32-31 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minot State defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Minot State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Sydney Gustavsson led the Beavers with 22 points.
» Minot State got a team-high five rebounds from Shawna Bruha.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
