Submitted Photo Minot State sophomore Lara Dobbins takes a shot in the Beavers’ home game against Wayne State College on Saturday, Jan. 24. Photo by Sean Arbaut, courtesy of MSU Athletics

The Minot State women’s basketball team limited Wayne State to 39.1 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from behind the 3-point line en route to a 68-61 victory over the Wildcats on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the MSU Dome. The Beavers opened the weekend with a closely-contested 59-54 loss to Augustana on Friday, Jan. 23.

The Beavers trailed 31-28 at the half against Wayne State, but limited the Wildcats to eight points in the third quarter, outscoring them by nine points in the frame to grab a 45-39 advantage. The Wildcats shot 30 percent from the field in the third quarter and missed all five 3-point attempts. Wayne State shot 58.3 percent in the first quarter, but didn’t shoot better than 38 percent in any of the final three stanzas.

Minot State (9-12 overall, 6-8 NSIC) scored 24 points off of three pointers, hitting 8 of 29 attempts. Meanwhile, Wayne State knocked down just three 3s on 21 attempts. Maya Aguilar went 4-for-6 from 3 and finished with 14 points for the Beavers. Minot State had four players finish in double figures, led by 17 from Lara Dobbins.

Kylah vanDonkersgoed recorded a double-double for the Wildcats with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The previous night featured a barnburner against the Vikings. Minot State took a 54-53 lead with 38 seconds left after Dobbins completed an old-fashioned 3-point play. Isabella Sanneh gave the Vikings the lead seven seconds later off a steal that led to a layup. Miranda Lomax hit a pair of free throws to stretch Augustana’s lead to 57-54 and Maya Aguilar’s 3-pointer to tie the game went begging. Two more free throws from the Vikings with three seconds later iced the game.

The game featured six ties and 11 lead changes. The Vikings held a 38-16 advantage in points in the paint.

Taryn Hamling and Tiyahna Trottier finished with 14 points each to lead the Beavers.

Sanneh poured in 20 points and also grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds.

Minot State travels to play Concordia-St. Paul on Friday, Jan. 30, at 5:30 p.m.