Box Score Moorhead, MN –  Freshman center Taylor Shepard's first career double-double was a high point Tuesday night, as the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs defeated the MSUM Dragon women's basketball team, 64-57, at Nemzek Fieldhouse. This loss drops the Dragons to 4-7 overall, 1-6 in the NSIC, while the Mustangs improve to 5-7 overall, 4-4 in the NSIC.
 
The first half saw SMSU open with a 19-8 run, highlighted by strong three-point shooting by the Mustangs. Turnovers at the start of Dragon possessions hampered their chances to find offensive consistency, as the Mustangs were able to score 12 first-half points off 12 Dragon turnovers. The Dragons finished the game with 22 turnovers.
 
Coach Karla Nelson started freshman Taylor Shepard, as she showed why she earned a starting spot posting her first double-double as a Dragon with 11 points and 10 rebounds. “Coach Nelson is trying to figure out what lineup works best, and who works well together,” Shepard commented after the game. The Dragons were also able to out-rebound the Mustangs 52-36.
 
With just over six seconds remaining in the half, SMSU head coach Allison Kruger picked up a technical foul right after Brittany Mayclin hit her first of two free throws. Angie Jetvig made both of the technical foul free throws and Mayclin hit her second for four Dragon points, and trimming the Mustang lead at the half to 35-21.
 
The Dragons put together a surge late in the second half, as Kaycee Charette hit a three-pointer at the top of the key. She followed that basket with a steal, and made both free throws after being fouled on her lay-up attempt. Marisa Yernatich came off a punishing Thomforde screen and hit a three, moving the Dragons within five points with just over a minute remaining. However, with the Dragons having to foul every Mustang possession, SMSU made enough free throws to keep the game out of reach at the end.
 
“We need to play as a team,” Shepard said when asked what the Dragons need to do moving into this weekend's games. “It's a continuous effort, but we can't stop.”
 
MSUM finished the game 16-for-54, 29.6%, from the field, 2-for-11, 18.2%, from three, and 23-for-30, 76.7%, from the free throw line. The Dragons were led in scoring by Shepard (11), followed by Jetvig (9), and Charette (9).
 
SMSU shot 21-for-60, 35%, from the field, 8-for-19, 42.1%, from three, and 14-for-26, 53.8%, from the free throw line. The Mavericks were led in scoring by Abby Kenealy (10), Sam Lynn (9), and Hannah Beeler (9).
 
The Dragons have two games on the road this upcoming weekend, playing the University of Mary Marauders in Bismarck, ND, Saturday at 2:00, and the Northern State Wolves in Aberdeen, SD, Sunday at 2:00.
 
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game: The last time the Dragon women lost five games in a row was during 2002-03; later that season, they won ten games in a row, en route to a 16-12 record.