Submitted Photo Minot State University senior Kari Clements goes for a layup during a Division II college basketball game against Yellowstone Christian College Tuesday at the MSU Dome. Photo courtesy of Sean Arbaut.

Playing time was shared across the board Tuesday evening in the home opener for the Minot State women’s basketball team.

All 13 Beavers that were dressed, got on the court and 11 scored in a 82-48 win over Yellowstone Christian College (2-2) at the Minot State Dome.

MSU’s leading scorer this season, Mariah Payne, even sat out as a precautionary measure with an ankle injury.

“We wanted to play a lot of people because the gals that don’t often get to play much, they still come out every night and work so hard in practice,” MSU head coach Mark Graupe said. “They deserved some minutes.”

The Beavers (2-0) were off and running from the opening possession after Mollie Wilson sunk an open 3-pointer from the corner.

MSU scored the first seven points and had seven players score in the opening quarter.

They shot 60 percent (12-for-20) from the field to lead 27-13 after the first frame.

“We are working to get our offense better and better every day,” Wald said. “So, hopefully we can shoot it and score that well all year.”

After the hot offensive start, it took the Beavers four and a half minutes into the second quarter to finally score off a Calli Delsman jumper.

MSU eventually broke down Yellowstone Christian’s zone defense to outpace the Centurions, 13-8, in the second quarter to take a 40-21 lead into halftime.

“They played two different zones,” Wald said. “We just had trouble deciphering what zone they were in and we weren’t communicating that well. Once we figured that out, we found the open shooters and found the open gaps better.”

A flowless second half with plenty of fouls, turnovers and missed shots allowed the Beavers to drain the clock slowly, but surely.

Defensively, Graupe didn’t like what he saw at times.

“I thought we could showcase our defense because it was really good two days ago against Montana State-Northern,” Graupe said. “We only allowed 19 points in the second half, six points in the third quarter against Northern. And yet tonight, I just felt like we were uninspired and there wasn’t that passion I saw.”

Minot State did outrebound the Centurions, 45-29. Every Beaver that played had a rebound.

“(Graupe) prepared us to go in, give it our all and be prepared to get out, then get ready to go back in again,” MSU senior guard Whitney Molina said. “I kind of like it because you can go in and play your hardest for that amount of time. Once you get tired, you get a little rest and get yourself ready mentally to come back in and play just as hard again.”

Kari Clements led MSU with 18 points, four rebounds and four steals. Wald finished with 14 points, four rebounds and two steals. MSU shot 49.2 percent for the game.

“This first home game is always fun to get back and play in front of your school and community,” Wald said. “I’m glad we got a win and showed people what the year is going to look like.”

The Beavers are back in action this evening at 5:30 p.m. against Graupe’s former team, Dickinson State.

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.