MOORHEAD, Minn. – MSU Moorhead women's basketball had Concordia, St. Paul on the ropes in a Saturday afternoon contest from Nemzek Fieldhouse, but eventually fell in overtime to the Golden Bears, 65-57.
 
The Dragons would open the game with a hot shooting clip of 58.3 percent through the first 10 minutes. MSUM would outscore Concordia, St. Paul 14-10 in the first frame thanks to some aggressive defensive tactics. The Dragons held the Golden Bears to just four of 16 shooting (25 percent) from the floor in the first 10 minutes. Terryn Johnson continued her strong stretch of games with four points in the period.
 
As the second quarter unfolded, neither team could sink into a rhythm offensively. While Concordia, St. Paul would shoot an improved 33.3 percent in the frame, they would continue to trail MSUM for a majority of the quarter. However, the Golden Bears would outscore the Dragons by period's end (13-9) as MSUM struggled from the floor. MSUM made just 23.5 percent of their shots in the second quarter as the teams would be tied at 23 points heading into halftime. 
 
Despite the second frame struggles, MSUM would shoot 37.9 percent across the first 20 minutes to CSP's 29 percent clip. MSUM would miss all seven of their three-point attempts in the half, however. Several Dragons got in on the offensive action as Johnson, Abby Berge, Maya Metcalf and Ashley Gustavson all scored four points. Concordia, St. Paul was led by Lindsey Becher who had a game-high six points at the break. 
 
The Dragons would open the third quarter shooting zero for seven from the floor. While the Golden Bears did not shoot well either, they would take a 28-25 lead behind a two of seven mark in the same stretch. Freshman Karlee Fisher would nail a massive three near the end of the frame to pull the score to within a basket. The make was MSUM's first of the contest in 12 attempts. After three, Concordia, St. Paul led 34-32 as MSUM would shoot 15.4 percent in the period. Johnson and Metcalf led the Dragons with six points apiece.
 
In the fourth quarter, the game would get hotly contested as a three from Natalie Jens pulled MSUM to within one point (38-37). Fisher would tie the game at 42 points shortly thereafter with a hoop and a harm. Olivia Skibiel would bring the Dragons a lead with just over three minutes remaining following a free throw make (43-42). 
 
Trailing by one point with just over 90 seconds left, Natalie Jens knocked in a pair of foul shots to put MSUM up once again by a point. Concordia, St. Paul would regain the lead on the ensuing possession before Fisher drained a corner three to put the Dragons back up 48-46 with 40 seconds remaining. Down the stretch, Concordia, St. Paul would hit a three to tie the game at 50 points with seven seconds left. The contest went into overtime after the Dragons could not hit a game-winner at the regulation horn.
 
Concordia, St. Paul would own the overtime period as the Golden Bears would race out to an eight-point lead with just over 40 seconds left. That advantage would hold throughout as the Golden Bears won 65-57.
 
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
 
Despite today's loss, the Dragons have still won 8 of their last 10 regular season outings versus Concordia St. Paul. 
 
 
Top Dragons
·      Karlee Fisher: 13 points
·      Natalie Jens: 15 points, six assists
 
Up Next
The Dragons (6-11, 6-6 NSIC) hit the road for matchups against Winona State and Minnesota State next weekend. MSUM battles Winona State on Friday, January 26 beginning at 5:30 p.m.