MSU Moorhead Athletics

MOORHEAD, Minn. -- In the 2022-23 season opener, the Dragon women were able to use defense and rebounding to impose their will against the Rogers State Hillcats.

MSUM began with a spirited defensive effort against the Hillcats. After one quarter, Rogers State was held to just eight percent shooting from the field on 12 shots thanks in part to the Dragon defense. That tenacity translated to the offensive end as MSUM held a 17-4 lead after the first frame. The Dragons shot 25 percent from the field in the first quarter. 
 
While the Hillcats were able to garner more offense in the second period, but were still consistently stifled by MSUM's size and defense. While Rogers State shot 40 percent, there were only able to muster up 16 points in the frame. The Dragon offense was able to stay consistent, shooting 38.5 percent from the field and extending their lead to 12 at the half. In 20 minutes of action, MSUM led for nearly 17 minutes. 
 
Peyton Boom tallied her first double-double of the season by the third quarter, tallying 13 points and 12 rebounds through three quarters. The Dragons once again shot 38.5 percent from the field and continued to build on the MSUM lead. Outscoring Rogers State 12-9 in the third, MSUM held a 44-29 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
MSUM commanded the final 10 minutes thanks in part their ball movement and their dominance on the glass. By game's end, the Dragons held a 54 to 27 rebound advantage over the Hillcats. This included 15 offensive rebounds in total, five of them from Peyton Boom. 
 
The senior finished the game with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Boom was just three assists short of a triple-double. Mariah McKeever had a career game as well, scoring a game-high 18 points and snaring a career-high 14 rebounds. The Dragons shot an efficient 41 percent from the field for the game including a 58.3 percent clip in the final 10 minutes.

Top Dragons

• Mariah McKeever: 18 points, 14 rebounds and six assists
• Peyton Boom: 13 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists
• Payton Bang: 10 points
• Terryn Johnson: Five points and nine rebounds

Number Of The Night

• The Dragons outrebounded the Hillcats 54-27, a 27 rebound margin.

The Dragons are back in action tomorrow as they take on Central Missouri to close out the Regional Challenge. The game is set to tip at 3 p.m. tomorrow in Nemzek Fieldhouse.