MOORHEAD, Minn. — After beating Minnesota Crookston 65-55 on Saturday, the No. 16 Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball team knew it at least a share of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title. Moments later, thanks to a loss by Winona State to Minnesota State, the Dragons had the captured the title outright.

MSUM (21-3, 18-2 NSIC) won its first NSIC overall title since 2004-05, and the Dragons celebrated at home by cutting down the nets following the win.

On Senior Night, the Dragons shot 43.6 percent (24-of-55) from the field compared to 33.8 percent (22-of-65) for UMC. MSUM had a 41-34 edge in rebounds and hit 12-of-16 free throws compared to 3-of-4 for the Golden Eagles.

How It Happened
MSUM led by five late in the third but a three-pointer by junior guard Cassidy Thorson gave the Dragons a 46-37 lead late in the third.

That was part of a 9-0 run that pushed the Dragons into a 51-37 lead with 6:55 remaining. The Golden Eagles got no closer than eight the rest of the way as the Dragons prevailed.

MSUM led for 29:19 in the game compared to just 6:42 for the Golden Eagles.

Impact Performances
Thorson finished with 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting. She was 5-of-7 from three-point range in the game.

Junior forward Drew Sannes had her 11th double-double of the season with 11 points and 15 rebounds. She also had four blocks.

Junior forward Shannon Galegher had nine points and four rebounds while Volkert had nine points, six rebounds and four assists. Senior guard Natalie Van Wyhe had five assists while freshman forward Megan Hintz had six points and five rebounds.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game
Including tonight's win, Natalie Van Wyhe started 76 of her 106 career games and the Dragons have recorded a 75-31 record. Jessica Hart has appeared in every Dragons game the past two years since suffering a season-ending injury in 2014; the Dragons record in games she has appeared in (including tonight's win) is 44-13.

Up Next
MSUM plays at St. Cloud State on Feb. 17.