MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead women's basketball will look to continue its three-game winning streak this weekend as the Dragons host Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls. Action begins against the Mustangs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and concludes with a 5:30 p.m. battle with the Coo on Saturday.
Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com
Opening Tip
Quick Hits...SMSU has won the last three games in the longtime series with all three wins coming from inside the R/A Facility in Marshall, Minn. Prior to the Mustang streak, MSUM had a nine-game win streak over SMSU dating back to the 2012-13 season. The Coo have defeated the Dragons six of the last eight times they have matched up.
In A Groove...The Dragons have won five of their last six games and are currently riding a three-game winning streak coming into the weekend. MSUM has been able to thrive in NSIC play thanks primarily to their efforts on defense and on the glass. The Dragons have only surrendered an average of 52.5 points per game in the last six games. This includes four games where MSUM held its opponent under 50 points, most recently against Wayne State on Saturday. The Dragons also hold a +57 rebounding advantage in the last six games, grabbing 255 total rebounds to 198 from their opponents.
Remain Calm, Super Jens Is Here...Junior guard Natalie Jens put forth another incredible effort against Augustana last Friday. The Beaver Dam, Wis., native poured in 29 points for the Dragons, including the game-winning lay-up with less than five seconds remaining. It was the third straight game where Jens has scored 20 or more points and her fifth overall this year. Jens made 53 percent of her shot attempts in this three-game spurt and was named to the NSIC's Shining Five for her efforts last weekend.
Young Guns...In MSUM's Saturday contest against Wayne State, the Wildcats did a wonderful job of neutralizing Jens. Because of this, MSUM's freshmen crew had to take a step forward and command much of the offensive load. They did just that as Ashley Fritz, Maya Metcalf and Abby Berge combined to score 39 of MSUM's 64 points. This included a combined field goal percentage of 63.6 percent, making 14 of 22 attempts in the game. Metcalf and Fritz made five three-pointers in the win while only missing one attempt between the duo.
Fourth Quarter Clamps...During their current three-game winning streak, MSUM has dominated the final 10 minutes of play, outscoring opponents 54-33 in the fourth quarter. The Dragons have held their foes to just 11-37 (29.7 percent) shooting from the field including a four of 19 mark (21 percent) from long range during the fourth quarter across the stretch.
Terry Time...Sophomore forward Terryn Johnson continues to be one the top rebounders in the NSIC at the midway point of the season. Johnson is currently second in the conference in rebounds per game, hauling in 7.8 per game. The Kindred, N.D. native is also third in total rebounds this season with 103. In NSIC play specifically, Johnson is third in the league with eight rebounds a contest. Johnson has four games with 10 or more rebounds this season as well as four double-doubles.
What They Do Well...Southwest Minnesota State continues to live by the three-point shot offensively. The Mustangs have attempted an NSIC-high 385 long range shots this year, a number that is the fifth-most in Division II. Sioux Falls scoring duo Kami Wadsworth and Ayla Brown average close to 23 points per game combined including a 41.5 percent connection rate on their shots.
Karla Nelson is in hr 24th season as head coach of MSU Moorhead women's basketball.
Scouting Report
Southwest Minnesota State (9-6, 7-2 NSIC)
The Mustangs come into Nemzek Fieldhouse on Friday having won each of their last seven games after beginning the NSIC slate 1-2. Southwest Minnesota State handled business against St. Cloud State and Bemidji State a week ago, winning both games by a combined 38 points. The Mustangs are led by one of the finest scorers in the NSIC in junior Bri Stoltzman, who averages 19.2 points per game to lead the team. Stoltzman's points per game mark is third in the conference this season as she also leads the team in rebounds per game with 6.7. Senior Sam Wall adds in 11.7 points per game for the Mustangs while shooting 34.8 percent from the floor. Southwest Minnesota State enjoys shooting the three-pointer, as they have attempted a league-high 385 long range shots this season, which is also the fifth-most in Division II. On those 385 attempts, SMSU has connected on 34.5 percent of them in 2023-24.
Tom Webb is in his eighth season as SMSU's head coach.
Sioux Falls (6-7, 4-5 NSIC)
Sioux Falls enters the weekend on a three-game winning streak similar to the Dragons. The Cougars collected NSIC victories over Bemidji State and St. Cloud State last weekend, winning by a combined 21 points. Sioux Falls is led offensively by freshman forward Kami Wadsworth, who is averaging a team-best 11.8 points per game. She is trailed closely by freshman guard Ayla Brown, who adds in 11 points per game for the Cougars. Sophomore forward Riley Moreland leads the Coo on the boards, pulling in 4.7 rebounds per game while also scoring 7.2 points a contest. The Cougars have shot 37.7 percent from the field so far this season and have a -4.5 scoring margin for the season.
Travis Traphagen is in his 16th season as USF's head women's basketball coach.
