The leader of the defensive effort was Lawson who paced the team with four steals. Her defensive presence and knack for fining the open player in transition was pivotal in the Beavers' second half comeback.

Down two points with 14 minutes to go in the game, Lawson picked the pocket of a DSU player in stride charging down the floor to to make a fastbreak layup despite getting fouled in the act of shooting. She nailed the following free-throw for an old-fashioned three-point play to give BSU its first lead of the second half. The Beavers used that play as a springboard and never looked back stretching their lead to nine points (63-54) before the 10-minute mark of the half.

"The thing about Amy Lawson is that she is so quick and anticipates so well," said Curfman. "I have been really pleased that she isn't gambling for everything. She is picking her spots and laying low and then all of the sudden she is there."

In addition to her four steals the sophomore added 11 points and a season-high 12 assists for her first career double-double.

Curfman added, "It is rare to get an assists/points double-double. So for a point-guard to do that you know she is playing pretty well. Amy had a tremendous weekend."

BSU was led in scoring by Maggie Gernbacher (Jr., G, Bloomington, Minn.) for the second consecutive game and forth time this season. The junior collected 18 points on 6-of-15 from the floor including a 4-for-12 afternoon from beyond the three-point arc. Her first three of the game was the 166th of her career, breaking the Bemidji State all-time record for career three-point field goals set by Kris Demaris from 1987-92.

"Maggie is such a threat," said Curfman with a smile. "In my 14 years of coaching, I have never had someone that could shoot the ball with the kind of range she does. I have had good three-point shooters, but the thing is that Maggie's range really is two to three feet behind the three-point arc." He added, "She just had a fantastic weekend, setting the school record only a few games into her junior year. That is pretty amazing."

Also having big games for BSU were Nancy McConkey (Jr, F, Superior, Wis.) who added a season-high 14 points and newcomer Heidi Matzke (Fr., G, Red Lake Falls, Minn.) who pitched in 13. Stephanie Peterson (So., C, Bismarck, N.D.) hauled in seven rebounds to lead BSU on the glass for the fifth time this season while swiping three steals.

The pair of Angela Carr and Laura Tewes led the Lady Ts with 19 points apiece while Jill Hansen added 17. Tewes also paced all players in the game with eight rebounds while she and Sara Nelson combined for five of the taller DSU's seven blocks in the game.

DSU pounded the ball inside during the opening minutes using its size advantage in the paint to take an 11-point lead (21-10) eight minutes into the game. But less than five minutes later Lawson would find Matzke for a layup to give BSU the lead (26-25) capping off a 14-2 run lead by Gernbacher who netted a pair of jumpers and a three-point field goal.

The teams would trade baskets for the final five minutes of the half hitting the locker rooms tied 38-38.

The Trojans came out of the break strong, scoring seven points during the first 73 seconds and increasing their lead to eight (50-42) with 16:43 left to play in the game. But when Gernbacher hit another jumper and Melissa Roberts (Fr., G, Staples, Minn.) followed with her first three of the afternoon, it jump-started a BSU eight-point run to knot the game at 50-50 with 14:27 to play.

Just one minute later Lawson would come up with her steal and three-point play to give the Beavers the lead for good.

Despite being out shot 55 to 48 percent in the game, BSU claimed a 33-29 advantage on the boards and totaled season-highs of 24 assists, 14 steals and forced its opponent into 24 turnovers.

Sunday's match-up between the Beavers and Trojans was the first ever. With the win BSU now holds a 1-0 series edge.

Bemidji State's uses the win to improve to 3-4 on year, while Dakota State fell to 6-4. It also marks the first time since January 10-16 of 2004, that BSU has put together three consecutive wins.

The Beavers welcome Minnesota State University, Mankato to the First City on the Mississippi Dec. 11 with a three-game winning streak on the line. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. at the BSU Gymnasium.