Box Score
MINOT, N.D. – Such will be life for Minot State University women's basketball during the Beavers NCAA Division II Provisional year.

Just two days removed from a huge road win over future Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foe and rival University of Mary, the Beavers were beat up by a physical Southwest Minnesota State team.

MSU struggled with poor shooting and couldn't match the Mustangs physical play in a 72-60 loss in NCAA Division II women's basketball Thursday at the MSU Dome.

It was the Beavers (2-2 overall) regular season home opener and only the third home opening loss for head coach Sheila Green Gerding in 17 seasons.

Minot State looked sluggish right from the outset and SMSU took full advantage, opening up a 37-27 lead at the half. The Mustangs (1-1 overall) shot 47 percent from the floor in the first half and hit five 3-pointers to push to the early lead.

The lead extended to as many as 13 in the second half and MSU never made a significant run until late in the game. The Beavers shot just 33 percent in the loss, hitting just 1 of 12 3-pointers and even struggled a big at the free-throw line, making 15 of 22, although MSU knocked down 8 of 9 in the second half.

Bree Holleman scored 23 points and added four rebounds to pace SMSU. Abby Kenealy added 20 points, three assists and three rebounds for the Mustangs. Southwest Minnesota State held a significant44-34 advantage in rebounding.

Carly Boag (So., F, Tamworth, Australia) paced Minot State with 16 points, 10 rebounds and a blocked shot. She was the only Beaver player in double figures. Lauren Safaranski (Jr., G, Burnsville, Minn.) added nine points and three steals, while Sacarra Molina (Jr., G, Hinsdale, Mont.) finished with eight points and three assists for MSU.

The Beavers don't have much time to think about Thursday's game as MSU heads to another future NSIC foe Augustana College Saturday at 3 p.m.