MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead women's basketball will look to extend their two-game winning streak this week with road matchups against Minnesota Crookston and Minot State. MSUM will face the Golden Eagles on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. before traveling to Minot State for a 3:30 p.m. game on Saturday.
Live stats and video will be available at msumdragons.com.
Opening Tip
Quick Hits...MSUM has commanded much of the all-time series against the Golden Eagles, having won 24 of the last 30 meetings between the two schools. UMC last defeated MSUM on February 13, 2022, snapping an eight-game Dragon win streak over the Golden Eagles. MSUM has won 19 of the last 23 games against Minot State, but the Beavers own the most recent matchup, winning 74-54 on Feb. 16, 2023.
The Glass Doctors... MSUM was finally able to pick up their first win of the season over Bemidji State on Friday and used that momentum to stifle St. Cloud State the following day. A massive reason why the Dragons were able to grab two wins was their prowess on the glass. MSUM outrebounded BSU 46-33 and St. Cloud State 49-32 for an astronomical +30 rebound advantage for the weekend pair.
Coach Nelson At 400...In Friday's win over Bemidji State, head coach Karla Nelson earned her 400th career victory. Nelson is the winningest basketball coach in MSUM history (either gender) by a 103-win margin. The victory over the Beavers was more of a relief for Nelson than anything as it snapped an eight-game losing streak dating back to last season. Before the Friday win, MSUM's last victory came on February 18, 2023 against the University of Mary. Nelson moved her lifetime record to 39-8 against Bemidji State including a 22-2 ledger against the Beavers inside Nemzek Fieldhouse.
Big-Time Berge....Freshman forward Abby Berge continues to show her skill as she earns more and more playing time. The Sunburg, Minn., native collected her first collegiate double-double against Bemidji State on Friday, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Berge was instrumental in the win over St. Cloud State as well, scoring 10 points and snaring seven more rebounds. Berge was also a perfect eight of eight from the free throw line in the win over the Huskies.
Natalie Jens: Masked Crusader...Junior guard Natalie Jens suffered a broken nose in last weekend's game against Mary. Because of the injury, Jens was forced to wear a protective face covering during MSUM's most recent games. Despite the mask, Jens scored 19 points and dished out eight assists against Bemidji State on Friday. She also had four rebounds and two steals in the win. The Beaver Dam, Wis., native scored nine points to go along with five rebounds and three steals against St. Cloud State.
Flipping The Floor...MSUM has utilized a fullcourt press in their last three NSIC contests and it has proved effective as the Dragons have forced 49 turnovers over the last three games. MSUM's Thursday opponent, Minnesota Crookston, has the NSIC's worst turnover ratio (-3.2).
Point Differentials...While MSU Moorhead is 2-7 on the season, they have remained competitive in almost every game they have played. MSUM has a -5.8 point differential so far this season. Minot State, who the Dragons will play on Saturday, offers the NSIC's worst point differential at -9.8. The Dragons will look to remedy their performance inside the MSU Dome on Saturday. In last season's tilt from Minot, MSUM shot an abysmal two of 18 from three in a 74-54 loss.
Karla Nelson is in her 24th season as MSUM's head coach.
Scouting Minnesota Crookston
The Golden Eagles (5-5, 2-2 NSIC) have split their last two conference games against Mary and Bemidji State. Sophomore guard Emma Miller leads the team, averaging 16.8 points per game with a 40.1 percent success rate from the floor. Miller averaged 7.9 rebounds to lead the Golden Eagles as well, she also had dished out a team-best 42 assists in 2023-24. Sophomore Janie Tormanen chips in 12.3 points per game while freshman Olivia Walsh scores 10.3 points a game for the Golden Eagles.
Minnesota Crookston is led by first-year head coach Natalie Moynihan.
Scouting Minot State
Minot State (3-9, 1-3 NSIC) is coming off a loss to Mary in their most recent NSIC contest. The Beavers hold wins over Bemidji State, Florida Tech and Valley City State so far this season. Minot State is led by junior Sydney Gustavsson, who averaged 12.8 points per game while making 38.8 percent of her shot attempts. Gustavsson is the only Beaver averaging in double figures so far this season as sophomores Taylor Goss and Jaime Skeggs combine to score just over 14 points a game. Minot State shoots 37.3 percent from the field so far this season while making just 27.1 percent of their long range shots.
The Beavers are led by Mike Brandt in his third season.
