MOORHEAD, Minn. – A strong defensive effort helped the Minnesota State University Moorhead women's basketball team roll to a 67-43 win over Minot State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Saturday at Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead.
 
MSUM improved to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the NSIC with the win while Minot State fell to 4-6 overall and 2-1 in the league.
 
The Dragons held Minot State to just eight points over the second and third quarters as they outscored the Beavers 29-8 in those frames.
 
MSUM had a commanding 45-29 edge on the glass, including 17-6 on the offensive glass. MSUM also had a 25-9 edge in points off of turnovers.
 
Sophomore guard Mariah McKeever had 15 points , three steals and five assists to pace the Dragons while junior forward Peyton Boom and freshman guard Natalie Jens had 14 each. Junior guard Natalie Steichen had a career-high 17 rebounds to go with four assists.
 
MSUM was down 12-4 but responded with a 20-2 run  that carried into the second quarter to take a 24-14 lead, on its way to a 31-20 halftime lead.  McKeever had nine of MSUM's first-half points while Miller had seven. Steichen had 11 rebounds in the first half alone. The Dragons held Minot to just 3-of-14 shooting in the second quarter which sparked their run.
 
The Dragon defense continued to dominate in the second half. Minot State was held to two points in the third quarter and committed nine turnovers during that frame as the Dragons extended the advantage to 45-22. The Dragons held the Beavers without a point for more than 10 in the second half.
 
MSUM would lead by as many as 27 on its way to the win.
 
The Dragons will play at Bemidji State next Friday.
 
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game
Natalie Steichen's 17 rebounds were the most by a Dragon since Megan Hintz yanked down 17 boards in a 76-60 victory at Minnesota Crookston on Dec. 7, 2018.