BILLINGS, Mont. -- For the second time this weekend, the Minot State women's basketball team battled an NCAA National Tournament team, this time going toe-to-toe with the Angelo State Rams on Sunday at the D-II Tip-off Classic hosted by Montana State Billings.

In front after the opening quarter, Minot State couldn't fend off the Rams who made their charge in the second stanza to take the lead en route to an 83-68 victory at Alterowitz Gymnasium.

The Beavers (1-2 overall) had two players score in double figures, led by Shawna Bruha, who had 14 points. Jaime Skeggs tacked on 12 points and three steals and Emma Mogen added seven points. Sydney Gustavsson, who was named to the All-Tournament Team late Sunday night, added 9 points and 4 rebounds. She averaged 13.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game during the three-game tournament.

The Minot State offense was very productive from beyond the arc, knocking down 11 threes on 35 attempts. Bruha was the most prolific shooter for the Beavers, draining four treys in the contest.
 

Minot State forced 17 Angelo State turnovers while committing 12 themselves in Sunday's game. The Beavers turned those takeaways into 17 points on the offensive end of the floor. Skeggs' three steals led the way for Minot State.

The Beavers are back in action next weekend at the Central Region Showcase in Joplin, Missouri playing Fort Hays State (Kan.) on Friday and Southern Nazarene (Okla.) on Saturday.

Coach's Comments
"We ran into a buzz saw tonight!," said Minot State coach Mike Brandt. "Angelo State played like a Top-20 team today. That's a very solid basketball team inside and out, and they're very well coached.

"Another great learning opportunity for us all in preparation for the tough NSIC."

How It Happened

After falling behind 18-14, Minot State went on a 5-0 run with 1:39 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Skeggs, to take a 19-18 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Minot State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 19 points.

Angelo State fought back to tie the game at 22-22 before Minot State went on a 5-0 run starting at the 8:15 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Sydney Gustavsson, to take a 27-22 lead. The Rams then came roaring back to take a 43-34 lead heading into halftime.

Angelo State continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 55-41 advantage before Minot State went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Bruha, to trim its deficit to 55-46 with 3:15 to go in the third. Angelo State countered and stretched its lead to 64-46 heading into the fourth. Minot State knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 12 total points.

Angelo State kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing an 83-62 advantage before Minot State went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Maya Aguilar's three, to shrink the deficit to 83-68 with 29 seconds to go in the contest, a score which would hold for the rest of the game. Minot State fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 22 points.

Game Notes

» Minot State lit it up from beyond the arc, knocking down 11 treys in the game.
» The Beavers held the Rams to only 39 percent shooting from the field.
» The Beavers put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 73 percent of made field goals.
» The Minot State bench came alive by scoring 31 points to its scoring output.
» The Minot State defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Minot State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Shawna Bruha led the Beavers with 14 points.
» Minot State got a team-high six rebounds from Lorelei McIver.

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