BELLINGHAM, Wash. – MSU Moorhead remained close with Central Washington through one half, but the Dragons endured a rough third quarter which eventually doomed them. The Wildcats topped the Dragons 73-59 to close non-conference action for the Dragons at the Lynda Goodrich Classic.
MSUM would begin the game with a 7-2 run thanks to four points from
Terryn Johnson and a three from
Maya Metcalf. Johnson would score eight vital points in the first 10 minutes as the Dragons were able to remain in stride with Central Washington in the first stanza. Metcalf would notch another three to end the quarter as the Dragons trailed 18-16 after one. MSUM shot the ball better compared to Friday night, registering a 50 percent mark through 10 minutes. However, the Wildcats would force six Dragon turnovers in the period to command the score.
Metcalf would nail her third three-pointer of the half with just under seven minutes remaining in the half. The true freshman scored 11 points in the first 20 minutes, including a perfect four of four mark from the field. The three would even the game at 21 points as the Wildcats would go on a 7-0 burst to regain the advantage. While
Natalie Jens and
Olivia Skibiel scored down the stretch of the half for MSUM, Central Washington still led 39-30 at the break.
The Dragons continued to improve their marks from Friday in the second quarter, hitting on 40.7 percent of their chances in the half. Central Washington would convert at a 45.5 percent rate but would also force nine Dragon turnovers. Metcalf and Johnson combined to score 21 of MSUM's 30 in the half with the duo making 88.8 percent of their field goal attempts through 20 minutes.
Central Washington would construct a 14-point lead to begin the third quarter behind an 8-2 run. The Wildcats converted on their first three field goals of the half while MSUM shot just one of seven. Eventually, Central Washington would outscore MSUM 22-10 in the quarter to lead 61-40 through three quarters. The Dragons shot just five of 15 from the floor in the period compared to Central Washington's 60 percent conversion rate. Johnson paced MSUM with six points in the frame.
In the fourth quarter, Central Washington would build a lead as large as 23 points early in the period. Back-to-back threes from Skibiel and
Karlee Fisher cut the Wildcat lead to 14 points with just over three minutes remaining. Fisher had her first game scoring in double figures, netting 10 points on 50 percent shooting. The tough third quarter proved too much for MSUM to overcome as they would fall 73-59. MSUM outscored Central Washington 19-12 in the final 10 minutes.
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MSUM (0-5) starts conference play next week with a Thursday game against Northern State. The Dragons and Wolves will tipoff at 7:30 p.m. from Aberdeen, S.D.
