Less than 24 hours removed from a four point win, the Cougars made it look easier the second time around, as they tied up the overall series (2-2) with a 61-53 win Saturday afternoon in Minot, N.D. USF has won its last eight on the road and improve to 15-2 with the win, while MSU drops to 10-10 this season.

MSU began the game with a 6-0 run to claim an early lead, which was their largest of the game. The Cougars received a quick six points on back to back 3-pointers from Holli Aggen and tied things up near the 17 minutes mark.

Aggen continued to scorch the Beavers, as USF kept a three point cushion for several minutes of the first half. But Carly Boag and MSU came to play and three consecutive jumpers from Boag gave the Beavers a 21-18 lead with 8:40 left in the first half.

USF went back to their bread and butter, the three point shot. First it was Aggen with another trey ball, then Laura Johnson got into the mix and knocked down a big 3-pointer to give the Cougars a 24-21 lead. USF would stretch their lead to five with 3:51 to go, but head to the locker room up, 34-30.

The Cougars came out the break hot, scoring the first 13 points of the second period and Alyssa Rushton's jumper with 14:28 to play gave USF a commanding 43-30 advantage. However, MSU was not going to go away. A couple of jumpers from by Sacarra Molina and Christina Boag pulled the Beavers back within seven points near the 10 minute mark.

Seven points is as close as MSU would get. USF stretched their lead to as many as 15 points before recording an eight point win at Minot State University.

MSU outshot USF for the second night straight, shooting 43% from the field, compared to 37% shooting by the Cougars, but the difference was three point shooting, where USF went 8-23 (35%), while the Beavers finished 1-13 (8%) from deep.

USF also beat MSU in second chance points, 13-6 and although it wasn't their best shooting night they converted 15 foul shots, while MSU made just six.

There were three starters in double figures for the Cougars. After a strong first half, Aggen finished 4-7 from behind the arc and 8-13 from the field to score a career high 23 points. Rushton had another solid performance. She was perfect at the line (4-4) and made 2-3 attempts from downtown to post 12 points. Laura Johnson shot 40% (4-10) from the field and 50% (1-2) from behind the arc to finish with 11 points. Johnson and Rushton each added five rebounds.

USF will have an opportunity to avenge one of their two losses this season Thursday when they travel to Omaha, Neb. for a 7p.m. rematch with University of Nebraska-Omaha.