WINONA, Minn. – MSU Moorhead bounced back from a tough loss to secure a valuable NSIC win over Winona State. The Dragons defeated the Warriors 66-54 to secure their 10th win of the season.
 
It was the Warriors who would begin the game shooting the lights out from the field. Much of this came thanks to Lauren Fech, who netted five threes in the first five minutes of play to give Winona State an early lead. The Dragons would weather that storm and still outscore the Warriors 21-16 in the first ten minutes. MSUM would shoot 50 percent from the floor in the quarter, led by six points from Peyton Boom. The Dragons would distribute their scoring, however, with Mariah McKeever and Terryn Johnson scoring four points each in the quarter. 
 
MSUM would jump out in front in the second quarter as they would shoot over 70 percent from the field in the first five minutes of play in the frame. The Dragons would shoot 50 percent in the quarter, making three of five three-pointers. On the other end, MSUM would put the clamps down on Winona State, holding them to four of 14 shooting in the quarter. The Dragons outscored the Warriors 21-10 to take a 42-26 lead into halftime. McKeever led MSUM with 13 first half points with Johnson adding eight in the half.
 
Winona State's zone defense in the third quarter would disrupt the Dragons slightly. The Warriors forced five Dragon turnovers in the third quarter. However, MSUM was able to challenge shot attempts and create some disruption of their own defensively. Winona State shot another chilling 33.3 percent from the field in the quarter, including a two for nine clip from three. As the quarter dwindled, the Dragons were able to figure out the Warrior zone, utilizing pass fakes and the short corner to create some easy lay-up opportunities. After three, the Dragons led 54-41.
 
The game would slow down in the final 10 minutes, but MSUM would outscore the Warriors 13-12, holding Winona State to 31.3 percent shooting in the last quarter. The Dragons would collect their 10^th win of the season with a 66-54 victory, shooting 44.1 percent from the floor. MSUM outrebounded Winona State 42-27 in the game with Boom and McKeever nabbing double-doubles.

It is Karla Nelson's 395^th career win.
 
Top Dragons

• Mariah McKeever: 22 points, 10 rebounds, five assists
• Peyton Boom: 15 points, 10 rebounds
• Terryn Johnson: 14 points, seven rebounds

 
Up Next
 
MSUM (10-10, 7-9 NSIC) welcomes Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State to Nemzek Fieldhouse next weekend. The Dragons and Bulldogs will kick off the weekend with a 7:30 p.m tip on February 3.