MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State women's basketball team opened the 2017-18 season with a 79-53 win over Rocky Mountain College on Friday afternoon in the Minot State Dome.
Holly Johnson recorded a double-double in her Minot State debut, posting a team-high 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Diondra Denton added 16 points and five rebounds, followed by Kristal Flowers with 11 points and five rebounds.
Madison Wald led the Beavers with five assists while Mariah Payne and Calli Delsman recorded four and three assists, respectively.
Inside the First Quarter
Minot State jumped out to a 7-3 lead off back-to-back layups from Flowers and a Holly Johnson three-pointer. The Beavers never looked back, as they limited the Battlin' Bears to 23% shooting from the floor and led 17-12 after the first quarter. Flowers and Denton scored six points each while Johnson added five points and six rebounds.
Inside the Second Quarter
The Beavers carried the momentum from the first quarter into the second quarter, as Minot State outscored Rocky Mountain College 21-11 in the second quarter. Johnson paced the scoring attack with six points while Denton and Kari Clements added five points apiece. Minot State shot 7-13 from the floor and 4-6 at the free throw line to extend their lead to 38-23 at halftime.
Inside the Third Quarter
MSU started the second half on a 7-3 run before the Battlin' Bears posted an 18-10 rally, trimming the Minot State lead to 55-44. That was as close as Rocky Mountain College came to coming back, as the Beavers held a 58-44 lead after the third quarter. Johnson and Denton led the Beavers with five points apiece while five other Beavers added two points each. RMC outscored Minot State 21-20, as both teams shot 40% from the floor.
Inside the Fourth Quarter
Minot State outscored RMC 21-9 in the fourth quarter on their way to a 79-53 victory. Gabby Wilkinson and Madison Wald paced the Beavers with four points each. Shyla Carr, Calli Delsman and Kristal Flowers followed with three points, respectively.
Up Next
Minot State returns to action next week, as the Beavers host Dickinson on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Minot State Dome. Links to live stats and video are available on msubeavers.com.
