WINTER PARK, Fla. -- MSUM used interior dominance in the first half and hot jump-shooting in the second half to compile a resounding 87-57 win over Rollins College this afternoon. The game was the first in this year's Rollins College Thanksgiving Tournament.
 
The gameplan seemed simple enough for MSUM early in the game: get the ball inside. Peyton Boom scored two early baskets with the Dragons penetrating the lane at every turn offensively. Mariah McKeever was able to score eight early points, four of them from foul shots to give MSUM a 18-13 lead. By quarter's end, the Dragons held a 28-17 lead with 18 of those points coming in the paint. MSUM shot nine free throws in the quarter, making eight. Boom and McKeever led MSUM with eight points apiece.
 
It was much more of the same for MSUM in the second quarter. While the Dragosn continued to dominate the interior, MSUM was able to stretch their lead to 17 thanks to threes from Natalie Jens and Olivia Skibiel. By halftime, the Dragons led Rollins College 46-31 as MSUM shot 58.6 percent from the field. The key in the first half was MSUM's paint prowess with the Dragons outrebounding the Tars 22-8 in the half including seven offensive rebounds. MSUM scored 28 points in the paint with Natalie Jens leading the way with 11 points. Boom finished the half with 10 points for the Dragons. Of MSUM's 46 points in the half, 38 of them came in the paint or on free throws.
 
The game slowed a bit as Rollins looked to regroup coming out of the locker room. The Tars were able to attack the rim and pick up some free throw opportunities early in the third. However, for every move Rollins had, MSUM had an answer. Whether it was an Olivia Skibiel three or a McKeever three, the Dragons continue to respond. MSUM held Rollins scoreless for nearly three minutes as the quarter dwindled. A pair of three-pointers from Ava Loftus pushed the Dragon lead to 17 again with just over a minute remaining. MSUM led 63-47 after three quarters. The Dragons netted five three-point field goals in the frame.
 
MSUM would grab its largest lead (to that point) of 21 points midway through the frame. The Tars were held scoreless for nearly half of the quarter and did not have a field goal for nearly six minutes. That was enough to keep the Dragons in front for good with a final of 87-57. In the win, MSUM shot 56.1 percent from the field compared to 33.3 percent from Rollins College. The Dragons made 11 three-pointers as a team this afternoon on a 40.7 percent shooting clip.
 
Top Dragons

• Natalie Jens: 17 points, five rebounds, five assists
• Mariah McKeever: 16 points, three rebounds
• Allisa Knight: 11 points (new career-high), eight rebounds (new career-high)
• Peyton Boom: 10 points, four rebounds

MSUM will be back on the court in Winter Park tomorrow at 3 p.m. The Dragons will play either Holy Family University or Lincoln University to close out the Rollins College Thanksgiving Tournament.