MOORHEAD, Minn. – MSU Moorhead women's basketball dropped a non-conference matchup to visiting Missouri Western State on Thursday evening, 68-57. The Dragons struggled from the free throw line and fell victim to costly turnovers.
Neither team would gain much of an edge through the first five minutes as a three from
Abby Berge gave MSUM its first lead of the game in 7-5. The Griffons would grab a small lead nearing the end of the frame before a lay-in from
Caylin Kelly tied the game at 11 points. Missouri Western would hold the Dragons without a field goal in the final two minutes and would lead, 15-11. Through 10 minutes, MSUM shot three of 15 from the field, but made four freebies to stay within striking distance.
Missouri Western State would rally to begin the second half, going on a 5-1 run through the first five minutes of quarter number two. Trailing 21-15, it was the freshman Kelly who snapped the Dragon cold front with a triple. However, the visiting team would close the half making five three-pointer in the final five minutes of competition. MSUM would trail 36-23 after 20 minutes with the Dragons shooting just 20 percent from the floor. The Dragons also missed 10 of their 21 free throw attempts in the first half and fell victim to seven turnovers.
Terryn Johnson led MSUM with seven points and eight rebounds in the first half.
The Griffons would not slow down out of the locker room, sinking another triple to expand their advantage to 16 points, their largest lead of the contest to that point. MSUM would respond with a 7-0 run with baskets from Berge and
Natalie Jens followed by an and-one from Johnson.
Karlee Fisher would drain a three-pointer with just under seven minutes to play in the quarter to bring the count within single digits (40-33). A nice effort from
Ashley Fritz after collecting her own miss would keep MSUM close, 45-37. While the Dragons would outscore the Griffons in the frame, Missouri Western still maintained a 10-point lead through 30 minutes. The Dragons turned the ball over four times in the third period.
Two minutes into the final quarter of play, Missouri Western would again regain a sizable lead of 17 points. Another three from Berge midway through the quarter would get the Dragons back within 10 points. However, the Griffons would remain in front by 12 points with just under two minutes to play with the visitors employing a fullcourt press on MSUM. The Dragons had one final effort, but it came too late into the period as Fritz and Johnson would trim the deficit to eight points (62-54) with 90 seconds to play. While Jens would net a three with less than 30 seconds to play, it was Missouri Western who would hang on for an 11-point lead.
MSUM had nine turnovers in the final 10 minutes and concluded the game with 12 missed free throws.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
The Dragons are now 0-2 at home for the first time since falling 70-61 to Wisconsin Parkside on November 14, 2014, then 49-45 to Northern Michigan the next day.
Up Next
MSUM (0-4) looks towards two games in Honolulu, Hawaii next week. The Dragons will open the Hoops in Hawaii Classic on Tuesday against Hawaii Pacific. Tipoff is slated for 9 p.m. Central Time.
