MOORHEAD, Minn. -- The Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball team used a big advantage at the free-throw line to earn a 64-60 win over Minot State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Friday at Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead, Minn.

MSUM improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the NSIC with the win, while Minot State fell to 5-2 overall and 0-2 in the league.

The Dragons hit 31-of-36 (86.1 percent) free-throw attempts on the night, compared to just 8-of-18 (44.4 percent) for Minot State.

The free-throw shooting helped the Dragons overcome just 30.8 percent (16-of-52) shooting from the field. Minot State shot 46.2 percent (24-of-52) but also committed 22 turnovers, leading to 18 Dragon points.

Junior forward Heather Strese scored a career-high 17 points for MSUM, going a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line. She also led with five rebounds. Sophomore guard Natalie Van Wyhe added a career-high 14 points, going 10-of-11 from the free-throw line. Junior guard Meghan Roehrich added 13 points and four rebounds for the Dragons. Sophomore guard Morgan Banasik led with three assists and four steals.

The Dragons trailed by as many as 13 in the first half but battled back to a 32-27 halftime deficit. MSUM shot only 22.2 percent (6-of-27) in the first half but hit 14-of-15 free throws to stay close.

MSUM took its first lead of the game (38-36) when junior Jessica Hart drained a jumper. The lead didn't last long as Minot State came back to claim a 47-42 lead with 8:55 left.

The Dragons came back with a key 14-6 run over the next five minutes to take a 56-53 lead with 3:09 left.  Roehrich led the run with eight points while Van Wyhe added four.

Minot State was within one at 61-60 with less than a minute left. The Dragons missed a shot, but Banasik came up with a key offensive rebound. Van Wyhe was fouled seconds later and hit 1-of-2 free throws to put MSUM up 62-60.

The Dragons then got a stop in the final seconds and with less than a second left Strese iced the game with two free throws to secure the win.

Redshirt freshman forward Drew Sannes had eight points and four rebounds off the bench for the Dragons.

The Dragons wrap up the road weekend on Saturday against Mary. Game time is 4 p.m. at Nemzek Fieldhouse.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: The Dragons are now 2-1 in Moorhead versus Minot St. since the Beavers joined the NSIC in the 2012-2013 season. The Dragons trumped Minot St. 74-61 on Feb. 23, 2013 and fell 79-56 this past Feb. 21.