Box Score BISMARCK, N.D.  – It wasn't a conventional way to a career high, but Carly Boag (Jr., F, Tamworth, Australia) will take it.

Saddled with foul trouble the entire second half, Boag was completely dominate in every minute she played, scoring 31 points on a variety of post moves and her first career 3-pointer.

The points, and a much improved effort on defense, paced the Beavers to its first-ever Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference win topping the University of Mary 74-73 Saturday at the Bismarck Civic Center.

“Yeah, career high, a win down here and my first 3,” said Boag, “that's a pretty good night. We were rated 15th in the conference and feel we are better than that. (U-Mary) is a great team and it feels great to come down to their home court and a get a win.”

The Beavers (1-0 NSIC, 3-0 overall) defensive effort in the second half turned an 11-point deficit into a win. Minot State held the Marauders (0-1, 4-2) to just 29 percent shooting and only a single 3-pointer after U-Mary knocked down eight in the first half.

“We challenged them at halftime to work harder and play harder,” said MISU head coach Sheila Green Gerding. “Our defensive effort was the key. Mary is a great team – a great offensive team – and we held them down.”

The Beavers scored the game-winner with 25.9 seconds as Boag dished to Savana Kingsbury (Fr., F, Omaha, Neb.) for a layup. While Boag's points were vital for the Beavers, while she was on the bench, the freshman Kingsbury carried the load, scoring eight points and finishing with five rebounds.

“She has my back,” Boag said of Kingsbury. “She did a great job on both ends of the court.

“She's such a smart player,” Green Gerding added. “She did a great job for us.”

While U-Mary's offense was up in the first half and down in the second, Minot State was steady the entire way. The Beavers hit 44 percent for the game, 40 in first half and 48 in the second.

U-Mary finished with five players in double figures, paced by 15 points each for Ali Collins and McKenzie Foster. Shauna Knife pulled down 11 rebounds, scored eight points and dished out four assists in the loss.

“I thought Lauren (Lauren Safranski, Sr., G, Burnsville, Minn.) did a good job on Ali. She is a great offensive player and while she got some points, in the second half she didn't as many dishes to other players,” Green Gerding said.

Along with Boag, Sacarra Molina (Sr., G, Hinsdale, Mont.) scored in double figures, knocking down 13. Molina had a solid all-around game as she finished with a game-high 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Beavers.

Minot State is off until Friday where they play host to Minnesota State Moorhead (6 p.m.) and Northern State Saturday (4 p.m.) in the team's first NSIC home games.