MINOT, ND -- Seniors Kennedy Harris (28 points) and Kate Head (20 points) drove the Beavers to a sliding 86-68 victory against the Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles 86-68 at home Saturday.
Leading in double figures for the Beavers (10-14, 5-12) were Harris, who had 28 points and three steals, Head with 20 points, four assists and three steals and Natasha Elliott with 14 points and four steals.
On the offensive rebounds, freshman Vilborg Jonsdottir's pulled down seven. Minot State also did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in 19 second chance points.
The Minot State defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Saturday's game, forcing 21 Minnesota-Crookston turnovers while committing 14. Those takeaways turned into 19 points on the other end of the floor. Elliott's four steals led the way individually for the Beavers.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 22-16 advantage, Minot State went on a 7-0 run with 1:53 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Lorelei McIver, to increase its lead to 29-16, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Minot State got a great contribution from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for nine of its 29 total points.
Minot State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 7-0 run starting at the 9:38 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Harris, to increase its lead to 36-16. The Golden Eagles cut into that lead, but the Beavers still enjoyed a 51-33 advantage heading into halftime. Minot State dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 22 points close to the basket.
Minot State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Harris, to expand its lead further to 57-38 with 5:53 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Golden Eagles had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Beavers still entered the fourth quarter with a 62-53 edge. Minot State's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled three of the team's 11 third-quarter points.
Minot State kept widening that lead, expanding it to 76-64 before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Harris' layup, to grow the lead to 84-64 with 1:38 to go in the contest. The Golden Eagles narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Beavers still cruised the rest of the way for the 86-68 win. Minot State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 24 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Beavers held the Golden Eagles to only 40 percent shooting from the field.
» The Beavers never trailed after taking a 29-16 first quarter lead.
» Minot State had a 40-26 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Minot State defense forced 21 turnovers.
» Minot State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
» Kennedy Harris led the Beavers with 28 points and Kate Head added 20.
» Minot State got a team-high nine rebounds from Vilborg Jonsdottir.
The Beavers will play two games next Friday against St. Cloud State University (Friday, 7:30 p.m.) and Saturday against University of Minnesota Duluth (Saturday, 5:30 p.m.) before returning for last home game on the 16th against Minnesota State University Moorhead.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
