CLAREMORE, Okla. -- MSU Moorhead attempted a late surge in hopes of nabbing a season-opening win against Rogers State, but the Hillcats proved to be too much for the Dragons. Rogers State defeated MSUM 84-74 as part of the Regional Challenge.

The two teams would battle back and forth in the first quarter as Natalie Jens scored seven points in the frame to lead the Dragons. Jens hit a three early in the stanza to pull the Dragons even with the Hillcats, 12-12. To end the quarter, Bailey Keske netted a triple that would tie the game at 21 points each. That score would hold through 10 minutes of play. MSUM connected on three long range shots (on three attempts) in the quarter as the Dragons shot an effective 69.2 percent from the floor in the period. 

In the second quarter, Rogers State would be the team with the efficient offense as the Hillcats shot 61.1 percent from the field including three three-pointers. Compare that to MSUM's 42.9 clip with the Dragons also making a trio of triples. Jens would continue to help lift the Dragons as the junior would score 19 first-half points, but MSUM would still trail at the break, 46-42. The Dragons only trailed by four despite Rogers State going eight of 12 from long distance through 20 minutes. 

Out of the halftime locker room, both teams would struggle shooting the basketball as MSUM would only register four field goals in 10 minutes. The Hillcats would not shoot it particularly well either, making seven field goals at a 38.9 rate. The host school would win the quarter scoring wise (15-13) and would carry a 61-55 lead into the final 10 minutes of competition. 

The three-point discrepancy would prove detrimental to the Dragons in the final frame as Rogers State would connect on three long range shots. In the game, the Hillcats finished 11 of 19 from long distance to MSUM's eight for 20 mark. The Hillcats would build a lead as large as 14 points (73-59) in the final quarter before MSUM put together one final effort. MSUM would bring the game to within five points thanks to a 9-0 run with baskets from Terryn Johnson, Ashley Fritz and Olivia Skibiel. However, Rogers State would knock down pivotal free throws in the game's final minutes to put the Dragons away. 

Top Dragons

• Natalie Jens: 21 points, five assists, four rebounds
• Abby Berge: 10 points, seven rebounds
• Ashley Fritz: Eight points
• Maya Metcalf: Eight points
• Terryn Johnson: Six points, seven rebounds

Up Next

MSUM (0-1) is back on the floor in Claremore tomorrow afternoon for a date with 10th-ranked Central Missouri. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m.