CROOKSTON, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball team outscored Minnesota Crookston 28-14 in a decisive third quarter in a 75-62 win over the Golden Eagles in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Saturday in Crookston, Minn.
 
MSUM improved to 3-6 overall and 2-3 in the NSIC while UMC fell to 1-10 overall and 0-5 in the league.
 
Junior forward Peyton Boom led MSUM with 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Senior guard Nicole Herbranson had a season-high 12 points while junior guard Natalie Steichen and junior forward Shyanne Loiland also collected 12 points. Steichen had eight rebounds and  six assists while Loiland led with three steals.
 
MSUM shot 50.9 percent (28-of-55) compared to 48.9 percent (22-of-45) for the Golden Eagles. MSUM had a 27-23 edge in rebounds.
 
The third quarter saw MSUM erase a three-point halftime deficit on its way to a 61-51 lead after three quarters. MSUM shot a red-hot 86.7 percent (13-of-15) in the third quarter alone.
 
Loiland had nine points in the third quarter while Boom had eight as the Dragons took control inside.  MSUM's lead never shrunk below nine points in the fourth quarter.
 
Sophomore guard Mariah McKeever had seven points and six rebounds for MSUM.
 
The Dragons are at home to conclude the pre-Christmas schedule for two games next weekend. MSUM will host St. Cloud State at 7:30 p.m. on Friday to open the weekend.