NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament
MOORHEAD, Minn. — A late 8-0 run over the final 1:05 lifted the Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball team to a 75-69 win over Minnesota Crookston in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Saturday in Moorhead, Minn. With the win, MSUM wrapped up the NSIC North Division title for its first league title since 2004-05.

The Dragons finished the regular season at 20-5 overall and 19-5 in the NSIC. They will host Upper Iowa in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Minnesota Crookston fell to 17-9 overall and 14-8 in the league.

It is the first time since 2008-09 MSUM has reached the 20-win plateau.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: Tonight was the women's fourth championship since the league currently known as the NSIC was formed 37 years ago. The Dragons won the NSC in 1981-82 and 1984-85 and won the NSIC regular season title in the 2004-05 season.

Junior guard Morgan Banasik, who will graduate this spring, had 20 points to lead all scorers.  Senior forward Savanna Handevidt had 17 points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore forward Drew Sannes had 17 points, four boards and five blocks.  Sophomore Cassidy Thorson led with four assists while junior guard Natalie Van Wyhe had a game-high five steals.

MSUM shot 42.4 percent for the game while Minnesota Crookston shot 39.7 percent (25-of-63). MSUM had a 46-34 edge in rebounds, including 14-7 on the offensive glass.

The Golden Eagles hit a pair of free throws to take a 69-67 lead with 1:05 left in the game. But they would not score again as MSUM scored eight unanswered points over the final 53 seconds to take the win.

Sannes hit a buck to tie the game at 69-69, and Thorson then took a steal off of an errant UMC pass and drove the distance for the layup to make it 71-69 with 35 seconds left.

The Dragons forced a turnover on the next possession and Banasik hit 1-of-2 foul shots to make it 72-69. Seconds later, Minnesota Crookston missed a three to tie, and Sannes was fouled and hit two free throws to ice the game.

MSUM trailed by eight early in the game (15-7) but went on a 13-0 run over a span of five minutes to take a 20-15 lead with 6:44 left in the first half. That surge was led by nine points from Handevidt, who converted a three-point play to put the Dragons in front at 18-15.

The Dragons took a 34-31 lead into halftime, with Handevidt leading the way with 13 points.

MSUM took a 53-45 lead into the fourth quarter but the Golden Eagles fought back to tie the game at 61-61 with 3:32 left, and from there, the game was close.

Freshman Jacky Volkert added seven points and three assists off the bench.

The Dragons' first-round NSIC tournament game against Upper Iowa is set for Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Note: Three Dragons were honored after the game -- Banasik, Handevidt and senior forward Heather Strese -- as part of Senior Day. Handevidt and Strese are seniors, while Banasik will graduate this spring.