MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State Mankato turned MSU Moorhead over 21 times as the Dragons could not muster enough to get past the 12th-ranked Mavericks. MSUM fell 77-70. 
 
Mankato would net three early three-pointers on the Dragons to grab an early 15-10 lead. Peyton Boom would score the first nine points for MSUM in the first quarter. However, it was the Maverick press that caused issues for the Dragons early. Mankato forced seven turnovers in the first 10 minutes. A quick 7-0 burst from MSUM would knot the game at 17 with under two minutes left. Natalie Jens would make a late three to give the Dragons a 23-19 lead through one.
 
MSUM would extend their lead to eight points early in the second quarter. This came thanks to 15 early points from Peyton Boom, who began the game a perfect six of six from the field. The senior would finish the half shooting seven of seven for 17 points. As a team, MSUM shot 60 percent from the floor through 20 minutes. Compare that to Mankato's 33.3 percent clip. This, plus a 25-13 rebounding advantage helped put the Dragons in front 48-41 at half. 
 
The Mavericks would continue their fierce press defense in the third quarter. Mankato would trim the MSUM lead to four points behind an aggressive defensive scheme. Midway through the quarter, the Mavericks had forced 13 turnovers. However, Mankato continued to be ice cold from the field, shooting just 18.2 percent in the first five minutes of the frame. After the media timeout, the Mavericks would go on a 7-0 run to take a 61-58 lead. Through three, Mankato held a 65-60 advantage.
 
MSUM would go on a quick 4-0 run to begin the final period, to trail by just one point. With just over four minutes remaining, Mankato led 70-67. The Mavericks would keep their distance from the Dragons down the stretch, holding MSUM scoreless for over two minutes at a crucial point of the game. That proved to be enough as Mankato defeated the Dragons 76-70.
 
Top Dragons

• Peyton Boom: 24 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks
• Natalie Jens: 13 points, five rebounds, four assists
• Olivia Skibiel: 10 points, five rebounds, four assists
• Mariah McKeever: 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists

 
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
 
Today was Peyton Boom's 20^th career double-double and was the second time she did it in games on back-to-back days. The other occasion started a year ago today (17 points, 11 rebounds) in a 75-66 loss at Winona St. followed by a 14-point, 14-rebound effort the next day, in an 86-45 Dragon demolition at Upper Iowa.
 
Up Next
 
The Dragons (9-9, 6-8 NSIC) are on the road to face NSIC South opponents Upper Iowa and Winona State. Tip-off against the Peacocks is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 5:30 p.m. Saturday for the date with the Warriors.