SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The MSU Moorhead women's basketball team struggled through a tough shooting game on Saturday afternoon, which eventually led to their downfall against the USF Cougars. Sioux Falls won the game 56-48 to protect their homecourt.
The Dragons would start the first quarter ice cold from the field, shooting just four of 14 from the field for a 28.6 percent clip. However, the MSUM defense would keep them competitive early, as the Cougars shot just 11 field goals in the first 10 minutes. Sioux Falls held a 12-9 lead after the first quarter with
Mariah McKeever leading the way for the Dragons with five points.
MSUM would shoot the ball better in the second quarter, making 50 percent of their shots in the first five minutes. Much of this was thanks to McKeever, who scored five more points to bring her total to 10 midway through the quarter. The Dragons would hold Sioux Falls scoreless for nearly the last six minutes of the half to go into the locker room tied at 22 points apiece
Sioux Falls would jump out to a lead as large as 10 points in the third quarter. The Dragons would shoot just 33.3 percent from the field in the quarter. The Cougars led 45-35 after three periods. Sioux Falls would build a lead as large as 12 points in the fourth quarter before the Dragons made one more run.
MSUM would cut the 12-point lead in half with just under two minutes remaining. In that stretch, the Dragons held the Cougars scoreless for over three minutes to draw closer as time dwindled. Sioux Falls would remain in front by six points with 38 seconds remaining, a lead that proved to be too much to overcome for MSUM. The Cougars took the game, 56-48. The Dragons finished the game shooting just 32.2 percent from the floor.
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MSUM (8-8, 5-7 NSIC) is back home in Nemzek next weekend as they host Concordia-St. Paul and Minnesota State Mankato on Friday and Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
