HONOLULU, Hawaii – MSU Moorhead women's basketball used balanced scoring and defense to secure their first victory of 2024-25. The Dragons defeated Hawaii Pacific to open the Hoops In Hawaii Classic, 77-63.
Defense defined the first quarter as MSUM forced four early turnovers to gain a 7-4 advantage.
Terryn Johnson and
Natalie Jens scored early for the Dragons as MSUM secured the three-point lead off a freshmen connection.
Ashton Safranski linked up with
Caylin Kelly with Kelly laying in the dime. A basket from
Karlee Fisher broke a long scoring drought for both squads with MSUM leading, 9-4. Through seven minutes of play in the quarter, MSUM held the Sharks to one of 11 shooting from the floor.
While Hawaii Pacific would break an over four-minute cold spell late in the first frame, MSUM would retain an advantage. The Dragons would lead 15-9 after another basket from Johnson and four straight points from
Abby Berge. The sophomore gathered a late offensive rebound and connected on a putback as time was expiring in the period. MSUM forced five turnovers in the first 10 minutes, limiting the Sharks to three of 13 shooting.
Early in the second quarter,
DJ Davis would nail a three-pointer followed by an additional basket from Johnson. The 5-0 burst gave MSUM its largest lead of the half in nine points (21-12). The Sharks would respond with a 6-0 run to pull within three points. Offense would come in quick succession at the midway point of the frame as Johnson scored again. Hawaii Pacific would respond with a three on the ensuing possession. However, it was Jens who answered right back with a three of her own for MSUM.
Jens only continued to surge, earning an and-one a few runs later, putting the Dragons back up six points, 29-23. Fisher would follow suit with an and-one of her own on the next possession to keep MSUM humming. However, Hawaii Pacific would utilize the three-point shot to finish the half on a 10-2 run. The Sharks led 36-34 at the break, making six of 14 long range attempts. Although, MSUM would shoot better overall at a 40 percent clip. Johnson led the Dragons with nine points and six rebounds while Jens added eight points.
MSUM would completely surge out of the locker room, beginning the half on a 16-0 run to regain the score. Safranski would start the run with a basket as Jens and Fisher added three-pointers in the flurry. Johnson, Berge and Kelly would also collect baskets for the Dragons in the game-shifting outburst. On the defensive end, MSUM held the Sharks scoreless for nearly six minutes to begin the third period.
A
Tori Ratz triple would push the Dragon lead out to 16 points late in the frame. After holding a lead as large as 17 points, MSUM concluded the third period leading, 62-50. The Dragons outscored the Sharks 28-14 in the third quarter as MSUM shot 50 percent for the period, including three made three-pointers.
Hawaii Pacific would have the game within eight points before Fisher scored her 14
th point of the game. The sophomore's basket put the Dragon lead back into double digits near the midway point of the final quarter. Leading by 12 with just over two minutes to play, MSUM put the game on ice. Jens cashed home a three, followed by a steal and score from
Ashley Fritz. The stretch ballooned MSUM's lead back to 17 points (73-56). The Dragons held the Sharks to one of 11 shooting with three turnovers through eight minutes of play in the final frame. That, coupled with the timely offense, led MSUM to victory, 77-63.
Four Dragons scored in double figures led by Jens with 17. Fisher and Berge combined to score 27 points with 12 rebounds. Johnson secured another double-double with a patented statline of 13 points and 13 rebounds. In total, 10 Dragons scored a point in the victory while shooting 40.7 percent from the field for the game.
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Up Next
MSUM (1-4) will play its final Hoops In Hawaii Classic contest on Friday against UC Colorado Springs. Tipoff is slated for 5:15 p.m. Central Time.
