MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Three Dragons scored in double figures including a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double from
Peyton Boom as MSUM stifled Bemidji State 68-42 inside Nemzek Fieldhouse. MSUM celebrated assistant coach
Allison Swenson's birthday in style with their second conference win of this young season.
Five early points from
Olivia Skibiel helped bring the Dragons a first quarter lead. The junior also hauled in three rebounds in the first frame. MSUM shot 36.8 percent from the field in the first quarter to gain a 15-7 advantage after one quarter.
Mariah McKeever added four points in the frame.
The Dragons would open a lead as large as 17 points in the second quarter behind the play of McKeever and
Natalie Jens. The sophomore nailed two three-pointers to push the MSUM lead to 26-9. Four minutes into the second quarter, Bemidji State had only mustered at 13.6 field goal percentage.
Jens scored all nine of her first half points in the second quarter as MSUM took a 34-17 lead into halftime. McKeever would score a team-high 10 points in the half. MSUM improved their shooting percentage, hitting 46.7 percent of their shots in the second quarter. At half, the Dragons shot 41.2 percent from the field compared to Bemidji State's 21.9 percent. MSUM held a 12-rebound advantage over the Beavers through 20 minutes.
MSUM would cool off mildly to start the second quarter as the Bemidji State offense showed some signs of life. The Beavers were able to trim the Dragon lead to as little as 11 points in the quarter. MSUM would separate themselves as the clock dwindled in the third quarter thanks to another three from
Natalie Jens. MSUM held a 53-35 advantage after three quarters with Jens leading the way with 14 points.
Karla Nelson's club would continue to try and put the game on ice in the final 10 minutes. The Dragons would grab their largest lead of the game of 28 points as the seconds ticked off the clock. MSUM would get the win 68-42 by shooting 38.1 percent from the field and turning Bemidji State over 19 times. The Dragons had three players score in double figures in McKeever, Jens and
Peyton Boom.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
The Dragons have now started their conference season with a loss, win, loss, then tonight's win. This is the first time that the Dragons have started their NSIC season with a loss, win, loss, win in this order since the 2000-2001 season. The Dragons lost their conference opener at Minnesota Duluth, then won 70-56 at Bemidji State 22 years ago tonight; they would go on to lose at home versus Northern State to fall to 1-2 in the NSIC, then win 86-41 at home against Minnesota Morris on Dec. 30, 2000, to get to 2-2.
Up Next
MSUM (5-3) is back at it again tomorrow as they host Minnesota Crookston. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m inside Nemzek Fieldhouse.
