MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead women's basketball will host its second game in as many weeks as the Dragons take on Missouri Western State. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday inside Nemzek Fieldhouse. 

Live stats and video will be available at msumdragons.com.

Matchup History...The Dragons and Griffons have only matched up twice all-time. Missouri Western State has won both tilts with the first in 1978 as the Griffons defeated the Dragons, 74-54 in the AIAW Playoffs. The most recent meeting between the two schools came on December 13, 2002, when the Griffons narrowly edged MSUM, 76-73. The game took place in Fargo, N.D., and head coach Karla Nelson was in just her third season at the helm of the Dragon program. 

Last Time Around...MSUM fell to Central Missouri last Thursday in a tilt that was decided in the fourth quarter. The Jennies outscored the Dragons 22-8 in the final 10 minutes to win, 70-52. Abby Berge led the Dragons with 11 points to go along with four rebounds. Natalie Jens chipped in 10 points with four assists as well for MSUM. The Dragons would battle in the third frame, sinking four three-pointers to eventually tie the score. Central Missouri would shoot 75 percent from the floor in the final period to claim the victory. 

Cleaning It Up...In their first two contests of the season, MSUM combined to commit 41 total turnovers in 80 minutes of game time. That mark came out to a plus-14 turnover margin for MSUM's opponents. However, the Dragons would clean their game up against the Jennies, committing 11 turnovers, which equaled the Jennies mark.

Do-It-All Terry...Junior post Terryn Johnson had her hand in every area against Central Missouri. Johnson scored seven points, secured seven rebounds and came up with two steals and a blocked shot. Johnson sits in sixth in the NSIC in rebounding per game with eight per contest. Heading into Thursday, Johnson has started in 46 consecutive games for MSUM. 

Building Blocks...The Dragons have been one of the NSIC's top teams when it comes to defense through three games this season. MSUM is fourth in the conference in total defense, surrendering just 63 points per game to opponents. The league lead sits at 56 points per game by UMary (in one game played). On average, MSUM holds the opposition to 41.3 percent shooting from the floor and 33.3 percent from long range. 

Kicking Off The Dust...Through three games this season, senior guard Natalie Jens leads the Dragons in scoring. However, Jens is below her career average (12.8), putting in 9.3 points per game so far this season. Jens has struggled from the floor, clipping a 22.2 percent success rate from the field. Yet, Jens showed a potential upward trend against Central Missouri. The Beaver Dam, Wis., native netted two of MSUM's four three-pointers in the third quarter against the Jennies. Jens has made a total of five threes so far in 2024-25.

Finding Her Way...Out of MSUM's abundant freshmen class, Ayelishka Teko-Folly has showcased great ability in limited minutes. Teko-Folly scored four points on a perfect two-of-two from the floor against Central Missouri. The Rosemount, Minn., native has scored in each of her appearances this season, making 44.4 percent of her shot attempts. 

Griffon Scouting Report...Missouri Western will play NSIC opponent Concordia, St. Paul on Wednesday prior to meeting up with the Dragons. Through four games this season, the Griffons are 2-0 against the NSIC, defeating the likes of Sioux Falls (79-68) and Augustana (96-61). However, MWSU struggled against a pair of RMAC opponents last weekend, falling in both contests. Through four games, the Griffons are led by Morehead State (Ky.) transfer Matilda Soderlund. The Stockholm, Sweden, native has averaged 14.5 points per game including an astounding 16 made threes already this season.

Karla Nelson is in her 25th season as MSUM's head women's basketball coach.