MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State Beavers (7-9, 4-8 NSIC) were incredibly efficient offensively to defeat the Concordia-St. Paul women's basketball team (4-13, 1-10 NSIC) on Saturday afternoon at the Minot State Dome. The Golden Bears fell behind early and a strong third quarter sealed it for the Beavers, as they went on to win 71-54.
 
This was the seventh time in school history that the Bears have faced Minot State and their all-time series record is now 5-2, as both of CSP's losses have taken place on the Beavers' home court.
 
In this year's matchup, the Beavers shot well from the field, as well as from three, to help them defeat the Bears, shooting 49.2% (29-59) from the field and connecting on 10 threes on 17 attempts (58.8%). The Bears shot less efficiently in both categories (30.9% from the field and 22.2% from three), but capitalized on more points from the free-throw line, gaining 16 points from these attempts, compared to Minot's three.
 
Three Golden Bears finished in double figures in the contest, with junior Anna Schmitt leading the way with 15 points, making it her sixth straight game finishing in double digits and 13^th game this season (out of 14 games played). The Waconia native, who is 16^th in the all-time scoring list, also finished with five rebounds and a team-leading three assists while shooting a solid 45.5% (5-11) from the field and a perfect 5-5 from the line. Schmitt is now an impressive 70-77 (90.3%) on the season from the free-throw line, which ranks second in the NSIC.
 
Freshman Ayla Lemke and junior Lindsay Dorr were the other two CSP players who ended in double digits, both finishing with 11 points. For Lemke, the 6-2 forward, this was a career-high effort. Both Lemke and Dorr were also active on the boards, as they combined for 12 rebounds. Dorr also ended with a career-high four steals.
 
Minot State's put together a balanced offense, as four of the five starters scored in double digits. The Beavers were led by senior guard Diondra Denton, who scored a game-high 24 points. Denton shot an incredible 69.2% from the field, including hitting six threes in six attempts.
 
The Bears fell behind in the first quarter, but kept within striking distance for the entirety of the first half, not trailing by double digits until the final minute of the half when Holly Johnson of Minot made two free-throws to help the Beavers lead by 11 at the half.
 
The third quarter was a tough one for CSP as Minot scored 21 points while holding the Bears to nine. The Beavers went on a 7-0 run to end the quarter to enter the final frame up by 23. Minot State was able to hold onto this 20+ point lead until the Bears got hot in the final four minutes, scoring the last 11 points of the game. The comeback ran out of time, though, as the Beavers went on to win by 17.
 
CSP forced 16 turnovers in the contest, converting these mistakes for 19 points. They also scored 12 points off of their 17 offensive rebounds and had an active bench that scored 21 points.
 
The Bears return home to close out January with five straight home games. Next weekend they will take on Southwest Minnesota State on Friday, January 19^th at 6 p.m. before facing Sioux Falls the following day at 4 p.m.