ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State spoiled the conference opener for the Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball team on Saturday night as the No. 12-ranked Wolves handed the Dragons a 74-42 loss at Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D.

MSUM fell to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with the loss while Northern State improved to 7-0 overall and 1-0 in the league.

The Wolves, who have won the last four meetings in the series, shot 50 percent (28-of-56) for the game while holding the Dragons to a frigid 22.4 percent shooting night (13-of-58), including 5-of-31 (16.1 percent) from three-point range. Northern State also outrebounded MSUM 51-25.

Rachel Krogman led Northern State with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

For MSUM, junior guard Meghan Roehrich had 13 points to lead the way. Sophomore guard Morgan Banasik added six points and two assists. No other Dragon scored more than five points. Junior forward Heather Strese and freshman guard Mallie Doucette each had four rebounds.

The Wolves, the preseason favorite in the NSIC North, opened the game on a 23-4 run over the first nine minutes and steadily extended the lead on their way to a 41-13 halftime lead.

MSUM endured a miserable first-half shooting, hitting just 4-of-27 (14.8) field goal attempts.  Northern State, meanwhile, shot 46.9 percent (15-of-32) in the first half.  Banasik led MSUM with three first-half points.

The Dragons warmed up a little offensively in the second half, shooting 29 percent (9-of-31) but were unable to make a serious dent in the Northern advantage.

Strese and sophomore guard Natalie Van Wyhe had five points each for MSUM. Junior guard Jessica Hart had two assists.

The Dragons return home on Dec. 5 to host Minot State for a 6 p.m. game.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: Tonight's 42 point total is the lowest for the Dragons since getting beat 59-39 at MSU Mankato in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 14, 2009.