SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A three-pointer to tie in the final seconds wouldn't fall as the No. 16 Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball team fell to Sioux Falls, 66-61 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D.
MSUM fell to 17-3 overall and 14-2 in the NSIC with the loss while USF improved to 16-4 overall and 12-4 in the league.
The Dragons lead Winona State by one game in the NSIC standings with six games left. MSUM hosts the Warriors on Friday at 6 p.m. in a huge conference matchup.
MSUM shot 41.4 percent (24-of-58) from the field, compared to 37.1 percent (23-of-62) for the Cougars. USF had a 38-37 edge in rebounds.
How It Happened…
The game was close from start to finish, with the largest lead for either team being seven points. The Dragons led 46-44 heading into the fourth quarter.
Freshman forward
Morgan Ham buried a three-pointer with 9:24 left in the fourth to give MSU a 49-44 advantage, but the Cougars scored the next seven points to take a 51-49 lead with 7:40 left.
The Dragons faced a 61-55 deficit with 2:28 left but scored the next six points – all coming on a pair of three-point plays from sophomore guard
Jacky Volkert – to tie the game at 61-61.
USF regained the lead at 63-61, and MSUM missed a shot to tie on the next possession. The Cougars hit 1-of-2 free throws with 12 seconds left to make it 64-61.
The Dragons had a chance to tie with a three with three seconds left but the shot didn't fall, and USF iced the game with a pair of free throws on the other end.
Impact Performances...
Volkert finished with 21 points to pace the Dragon offense. She also had four rebounds.
Junior forward
Drew Sannes had 11 points and six rebounds.
Freshman forward
Morgan Ham had nine points while freshman forward
Megan Hintz and junior guard
Cassidy Thorson had seven each. Thorson led with three assists while Ham and Hintz had seven rebounds each.
Up Next
MSUM hosts Winona State in a crucial NSIC game on Friday at 6 p.m. The Dragons lead the Warriors by one game in the NSIC race with six games left.
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game
Tonight's loss ended the following Dragon streaks:
- Ended their 11-game NSIC road winning streak on a Saturday
- Ended their 12-game NSIC road winning streak
- Ended their 13-game overall road winning streak
