MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead women's basketball fell victim to a harsh fourth quarter, which opened the door for visiting Central Missouri. The Jennies defeated the Dragons, 70-52 in MSUM's 2024-25 home opener.
MSUM would open the contest strong after Central Missouri would take an early two-point lead to begin the first quarter. The Dragons would utilize an aggressive attack on offense to garner six foul shots through 10 minutes. The home club would sink all six freebies and would force three UCM turnovers in the first 10 minutes.
Terryn Johnson led MSUM with four points in the first frame to go along with a pair of rebounds. MSUM led 13-8 after one quarter after a buzzer-beating triple from
Karlee Fisher. Both teams shot an even 25 percent from the floor.
The Dragons would grab their biggest lead of nine points early in the second frame. The Jennies would shoot an effective 54.5 percent from the field in the second frame, but MSUM would remain in front by one point (24-23) at the break. The Dragons used their inside prowess to score six straight points as
Ayelishka Teko-Folly would dive to the rim for a wide open basket. The short burst helped MSUM keep command of the scoreboard.
Despite shooting 28 percent from the field through one half, MSUM would remain in front thanks to nine made free throws (on 10 attempts). Johnson led the way with six points while
Abby Berge chipped in four points despite committing two fouls in the half.
To start the second half, Central Missouri would pull even with the Dragons early and would regain the lead (27-26) two minutes into the frame. Central Missouri would go on a run from there, using a 9-0 burst to lead 40-31 with just over three minutes to go in the third period.
Tori Ratz would break the spell with a signature corner three-pointer to give MSUM some life. The three party was not over for MSUM as Berge would drain a three, followed by a triple from
Natalie Jens. The senior Jens would sink her second three shortly thereafter to tie the contest at 43 points.
Before the end of the frame, Central Missouri would regain the lead, finishing the quarter on a 5-1 run. The Dragons connected on 53.8 percent of their shots in the third quarter, including four made threes. On the other side, Central Missouri would shoot 58.8 percent with three made long range shots.
A score from Fisher to open the final quarter pushed MSUM to within two points and Berge would have the Dragons within one point with over eight minutes to go. From there, the Jennies surged, outscoring MSUM 18-3 in the final eight minutes with the only Dragon field goal being a layup from
DJ Davis with under 30 seconds to play. MSUM was held to a 16.6 percent mark in the fourth quarter including a zero for five clip from long range. Central Missouri couldn't miss on the other end, making nine of 12 field goals.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
Tonight marked the ninth time Central Missouri and the Dragons have played and was the first time in the same town twice. Below is the list of where these two teams previously played:
- Nov 11, 2023 in Claremont, Okla.
- Nov 12, 2022 in Moorhead, Minn.
- Nov 13, 2021 in Warrensburg, Mo.
- Nov 8, 2019 in Aberdeen, S.D.
- Mar 9, 2018 in Sioux Falls, S.D. (NCAA game)
- Mar 10, 2017 in Searcy, Ark. (NCAA game)
- Nov 15, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nev.
- Dec 19, 1992 in Mankato, Minn.
Up Next
MSUM (0-3) is back at home next Thursday as they play host to Missouri Western. Tipoff inside Nemzek Fieldhouse is slated for 6 p.m.
