WINTER PARK, Fla. -- Four Dragons scored in double figures en route to a 78-67 victory over Holy Family. In the victory, MSUM claims the Rollins College Thanksgiving Tournament championship.
MSUM opened the game on a 14-4 run that helped build a double-digit lead early in the first quarter. Eight early points from
Peyton Boom and a pair of triples from
Olivia Skibiel ballooned the Dragon lead to 13. MSUM would make 11 of 14 shot attempts in the frame to take a commanding 28-13 lead after one quarter. Boom had 10 points in the quarter with
Natalie Jens adding seven for the Dragons.
Holy Family would liven up their offense a bit in the second frame while holding the Dragons scoreless for nearly three minutes. The MSUM lead would not dip below seven points, however, as Boom continued to score at will. The senior finished the half with 16 points after only scoring 10 and fouling out against Rollins College the day before.
MSUM would carry a 41-34 lead into the locker room despite missing their last six field goals of the half. Holy Family closed the half on a 7-0 run. The Dragons still shot an efficient 57.1 percent from the field, but eight turnovers in the half allowed the Tigers to climb back.
Both teams continued to trade baskets as the second half commenced. Holy Family was able to reduce the Dragon lead to two points halfway through the third period. Yet again, it was
Peyton Boom who helped keep MSUM in front. The senior would hit a short jumper to push the Dragon lead to four points. She would then follow it up with an offensive rebound and an assist on the ensuing possession. A four-point swing, just like that. Boom had 20 points and 11 rebounds after three quarters with MSUM leading 61-53.
Holy Family would crawl back into the game midway through the fourth quarter. The Tigers held the Dragons scoreless for over three minutes as they came within one possession, 63-61. MSUM would go on a swift 7-0 run behind baskets from Boom and
Mariah McKeever with
Natalie Jens nailing a statement three-pointer to put the Dragons up nine.
MSUM would control the latter stages of the contest. McKeever would make five consecutive points to put the Dragons up 10 with just over a minute remaining. MSUM would see the score hold true in their favor, 78-67. With two victories in two days, the Dragons are the Rollins College Thanksgiving Tournament champions.
Boom was named to the All-Tournament team and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Both
Natalie Jens and
Mariah McKeever were also named to the All-Tournament team.
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MSUM is now 3-2 as they head into their full NSIC schedule. The Dragons welcome Minot State to Nemzek on Thursday and are on the road at UMary on Saturday. Those games tip at 5:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively.
