Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Minot sophomore forward Mariah Evenson scans the floor during the second half of Saturday's game against Dickinson in Minot. The Majettes earned a 56-45 victory over the Midgets.

When the going got tough in Minot High School’s first home game, Mariah Evenson gave the Majettes a boost.

The sophomore forward scored six second-half points during Saturday’s matinee against Dickinson (1-2, 1-2 WDA). The Majettes improved to (1-1, 1-1 WDA) after the gritty 56-45 win.

The game wasn’t always pretty, but Minot got the job done with robust defense and rebounding.

“It was phenomenal,” Evenson said of the Majettes’ defense. “We’ve really been pushing hard in practice and focusing on that. We know that it’s going to take us through the season. It’s going to bring us to where we want to be.”

Before Evenson enjoyed a sterling second half, Minot’s high-pressure defense threw the Midgets off their game. Minot mixed man-to-man defense with various presses.

Although the Majettes committed their share of turnovers in the first half, they controlled the tempo. Minot owned a 30-17 lead at halftime.

“We’re trying to play differently,” Minot head coach Jason Schwarz said. “We’re trying to play with more intensity defensively. We’re trying to push the ball more offensively.”

Because several Minot role players needed to participate in Saturday night’s Nedrose Tournament against Our Redeemer’s, Schwarz rested those Majettes for the first half. In turn, he challenged the seniors to step up.

“I’m really proud of their effort,” Schwarz said. “We know that good things are going to happen if we just get out there and get after it. Play with some heart, play with some hustle. I would like to have seen us dive on the floor a little bit more, dig in and rip the ball out of there a little bit more. But that’s coming. We’re working on that in practice.”

A balanced scoring attack propelled the Majettes in the second half. The Minot student section’s cheers grew louder after each of Evenson’s baskets.

“It feels great because you know you have all of Minot behind you and behind the team,” Evenson said. “Getting a win just fires us up for the rest of the season.”

On a day where Evenson represented the underclassmen well, Minot’s seniors also rose to the occasion. Senior forward Allie Nelson led the Majettes with 17 points, while senior guard Becca Tschetter and senior forward Lauren McLean contributed 12 points apiece.

“The new Majettes and the new way we’re playing, it’s a lot of fun,” Schwarz said.

Minot will travel to Bismarck St. Mary’s (1-2, 1-1 WDA) for a 6 p.m. contest on Dec. 17.

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.