ABERDEEN, S.D. — The No. 18-ranked Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball team built a 15-point halftime lead and weathered a second-half challenge from No. 11 Central Missouri in a 58-56 win over the Jennies Friday at the Regional Challenge in Aberdeen, S.D.

MSUM is now 1-0 on the year while UCM fell to 0-1.

Senior forward Megan Hintz had 13 points and seven rebounds to lead the Dragons. Freshman Katie Tornstrom had nine points and five rebounds off the bench. Sophomore guard Natalie Steichen had four assists to go with seven points while junior guard Sarah Jacobson had three steals to go with seven points.

MSUM outrebounded the Jennies 44-30, including 13-8 on the offensive glass.

A three-pointer by freshman guard Mariah McKeever put MSUM up 34-19 in the final minute of the first half, and that was the Dragons' largest lead.  The Dragons outscored UCM 24-13 in the second quarter.

UCM cut the lead to 44-39 after three quarters and started a 12-2 run to take a 49-46 lead with 7:16 left on a three-pointer by Nija Collier.  Jacobson answered with a three-pointer to tie the game at 49-49 and from there the game was close.

After a basket put UCM up 54-53 with 3:30 left, sophomore forward Peyton Boom scored to give MSUM a 55-54 lead, and a minute later, Hintz scored to push the lead to 57-54.

The Dragons held the Jennies without a point for more than three minutes as the game closed. Junior guard Brooklyn Liegel hit a free-throw with two seconds left to push the lead to four and MSUM held on for the win.

Senior forward Madi Green and Boom each added six rebounds.  Ten different Dragons scored at least two points.

MSUM will face Rogers State (Okla.) at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Aberdeen to close out the weekend.