MOORHEAD, Minn. — A solid defensive effort helped the No. 18 Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball team earn a 72-46 win over Metro State-Denver in the first game of the MSUM Classic on Friday in Moorhead, Minn.

MSUM improved to 3-0 on the year while Metro State fell to 0-3.

MSUM held Metro State to 28.8 percent (17-of-59) from the field including just 3-of-20 (15 percent) from three-point range. The Dragons also had a commanding 53-28 edge in rebounds, including 15-8 on the offensive glass.

Senior forward Megan Hintz had 18 points and 10 rebounds while senior forward Madi Green had 18 points and nine rebounds.

Sophomore forward Peyton Boom had nine points while freshman guard Katie Tornstrom had eight.  Sophomore guard Natalie Steichen had four assists.

MSUYM led 33-24 at halftime, thanks to nine points from Green, and opened the second half on a 13-3 run to push the advantage to 46-27. Green had five points during that run while Steichen had four. The Dragon lead never dropped below 13 the rest of the game.

Junior guard Sarah Jacobson had five steals and eight rebounds for the Dragons, who shot 45.5 percent (25-of-55) from the field.

MSUM faces Michigan Tech at 4 p.m. on Saturday to wrap up the weekend.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: The Dragons won their third in a row tonight against the Roadrunners with the win tonight. Their first-ever win against Metro St. was a 62-56 victory in Denver eleven years ago tonight.