The Minot State women’s basketball team nearly erased an 19-point second-half deficit in a 74-71 loss to Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the MSU Dome.

The Beavers (10-15 overall, 7-11 NSIC) went into halftime trailing 44-25, but shot nearly 77 percent in the third quarter to cut the deficit down to 10 heading into the fourth quarter. The Beavers outscored the Bulldogs 26-17 in the third quarter and 46-30 in the second half.

Minnesota Duluth (16-6, 14-4) seemed in control late, leading 72-62 with three minutes remaining in regulation. Taryn Hamling and Maya Aguilar hit back-to-back 3s to trim the lead down to four and Trottier hit a third 3 with one minute left to get the Beavers within a point at 72-71.

Maria Counts hit a pair of free throws for a 3-point lead for the Bulldogs and the Beavers missed their final two shots, including a potential game-tying 3-pointer with three seconds left.

Hamling finished with a team-high 22 points. Trottier (16), Jessica Mogen (12) and Aguilar (11) also finished in double figures. The Beavers knocked down 12 3s.

Minot State travels to play Minnesota Crookston on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 5:30 p.m.