MOORHEAD, Minn. – MSU Moorhead would hit nine threes and shoot 40 percent from the field, but were unable to muster enough firepower to defeat the 16th-ranked Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs defeated the Dragons 70-62.
MSUM began the game shooting just two of 13 from the field, but the Bulldogs only shot 37.5 percent in the early going. While the Bulldogs would take a 13-5 lead near the end of the quarter,
Mariah McKeever banked in a three as time expired to pull the Dragons closer. After one quarter, MSUM trailed 13-8.
Duluth would go on to shoot 53.3 percent from the field in the second half, but MSUM was still able to keep pace with the Bulldogs. This came thanks to a
Natalie Jens three-pointer late in the half. Jens led the Dragons with nine points in the first half. MSUM shot just 30 percent for the half, but trailed 32-26 at halftime.
The two teams would trade punches in the third quarter with Jens and
Mariah McKeever netting triples to bring the Dragons within six points again. McKeever would make three long range shots in the quarter, including another buzzer beater. That crucial basket pulled the Dragons to within seven points with the Bulldogs leading 59-52 after three. MSUM shot 83.3 percent from range in those 10 minutes.
Minnesota Duluth would push themselves in front as the fourth quarter wore on. The Bulldogs shot 45.5 percent in the quarter, outscoring the Dragons 11-10 in the final 10 minutes. That would be enough for Minnesota Duluth as they took home a 70-62 victory.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
Tonight was the first time the Dragons lost their first February home game since falling 66-65 to Bemidji State on February 13, 2004.
Up Next
MSUM (10-11, 7-10 NSIC) is in action tomorrow afternoon against St. Cloud State. The Dragons and Huskies will battle at 5:30 p.m.
