BISMARCK, N.D. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball team reached 6-0 for the first time since the 2009-10 season with a 62-61 win over Mary in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Saturday in Bismarck, N.D.

MSUM is now 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the NSIC, while Mary fell to 5-4 overall and 0-2 in the league.

The Dragons were led by junior guard Morgan Banasik, who had 21 points and also blocked a potential game-winning layup in the final seconds. Senior forward Savanna Handevidt had 11 points and 11 rebounds for her second consecutive double-double. Senior forward Heather Strese had eight points and seven rebounds while junior guard Natalie Van Wyhe had three assists and three steals, both team-highs.

MSUM had a 41-32 edge in rebounds, and shot 40.4 percent (21-of-52) from the field, compared to 38.7 percent (24-of-62) for the Marauders.

The Dragons led by as many as 14 in the game and never trailed. Mary cut into the Dragon lead in the fourth quarter and was within 62-61 with 43 seconds left after a layup by Brittney Dietz, who had 31 points.

MSUM missed a three-pointer on its next possession, giving the Marauders a chance to win with 15 seconds left. Banasik delivered big for the Dragons, blocking a Dietz shot attempt with one second left to help the Dragons preserve the win.

Banasik and Handevidt combined for 17 of MSUM's 30 first-half points as the Dragons took a 30-19 lead into halftime.

Junior guard Jessica Hart buried a three-pointer in the final seconds of the third quarter to make the score 54-40 heading into the final frame. And while Mary cut the lead to one in the final minute, MSUM never relinquished the lead.

Hart added six points off the bench, while sophomore forward Drew Sannes had five points and six rebounds.

MSUM returns home for an NSIC weekend on Dec. 11-12. The Dragons open the homestand against St. Cloud State at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: Savanna Handevidt (11 points and 11 rebounds) became the first Dragon to register a double-double in Bismarck against the University of Mary since Megan Strese collected 23 points and 15 boards helping her Dragons down the Marauders 63-60 on Dec. 8, 2012.