MOORHEAD, Minn. — The Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball team rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Augustana, 71-66 in action Sunday at the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Both teams are now 1-1 overall. Neither game counted towards NSIC divisional play which begins next weekend.

Big Night for Brown

Junior center Nicole Brown had a huge game for MSUM to help the Dragons to their first win. She set career highs with 17 points and 15 rebounds for her first career double-double of her college career. Brown  finished 7-of-12 from the field.

Further Inside the Numbers…

Senior guard Sarah Jacobson had 16 points, including going 6-of-6 from the foul line. She added eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Mariah McKeever had 11 points while junior forward Peyton Boom had 10 points and five rebounds.

Junior guard/forward Emma Thuringer set career highs in points (six) and rebounds (four) in 14 minutes of action off the bench. She hit a crucial basket in the final minute to push the Dragon lead to five with 35 seconds left. 

MSUM shot 40.3 percent (25-of-62) while holding the Vikings to 39.1 percent (27-of-69). The Dragons had a commanding 48-30 edge in rebounds.

Third Quarter Turnaround

MSUM trailed by as many as eight points in the first half and was down 38-32 at half-time. The third quarter, however marked a turnaround for the Dragons as they outscored the Vikings 19-12 in that frame to take a 51-50 lead into the fourth quarter as McKeever drained a three in the final seconds.

Brown had six points in that quarter while Jacobson had four. 

Line 'Em Up

A big difference for the Dragons in the win was getting to the line and converting. The Dragons finished 17-of-23 from the foul line while Augustana was just 4-of-4. Junior guard Natalie Steichen hit two foul shots in the final minute to help ice the game for MSUM. 

Up Next

MSUM opens NSIC North Division Play on Friday, Jan. 8  at home vs. Minnesota Crookston.  Game time is 6 p.m.