MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead women's basketball is set to begin the 2024-25 season this weekend in a pair of contests against MIAA foes in St. Joseph, Mo. The Dragons will take on Northwest Missouri State at 2:45 p.m. on Friday before matching up with 23rd-ranked Fort Hays State on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Please note that the MIAA Network is a pay-per-view service. Fans can also listen to the games on NWMSU and FHSU's respective radio partners. 

Matchup History...The Dragons and Bearcats have only met one another once all-time. Northwest Missouri State defeated MSUM 65-59 on November 30, 1996 as part of the UN Omaha Invitational in Omaha, Neb. The Dragons have also only played against Fort Hays State once on March 16, 2019. The Tigers bested the Dragons in an NCAA Central Region Semifinal game in Hays, Kansas, 71-60. The Dragons would win a school record 27 games that season, a mark that still stands today. 

Preseason Recognition...MSUM was selected to finish sixth in the NSIC preseason coaches' poll behind 125 points in the initial rankings. Senior guard Natalie Jens was tabbed as MSUM's 'player to watch' ahead of the season following an All-NSIC First Team campaign in 2023-24. Jens played and started in all 29 games for the Dragons, averaging a team-best 14.7 points per game. Jens also tallied 4.2 rebounds per game while leading the Dragons in total assists (116) and steals (58).

Coach Nelson At 25...Head coach Karla Nelson embarks on her 25th season at the helm of MSUM women's basketball. Nelson enters the season with 412 career wins with the Dragons. Coach Nelson is the winningest basketball coach in school history (both genders) by a 114-win margin. Her .616 career winning percentage is the highest of any women's basketball coach in school history (minimum of 10 games coached). 

Glass Shattered...MSUM returns one of the NSIC's top rebounders in junior Terryn Johnson. The Kindred, N.D., product was an All-NSIC Second Team performer a season ago and was third in the NSIC in rebounds per game. Johnson was also second in the conference in total rebounds (234) in 2023-24. The Dragon rebounding efforts get boosted with junior transfer center Emily Srejma joining the fold. The 6-foot-4 Srejma spent the last two seasons at Minot State. 

Rotate To Ratz...Rounding out the junior class for MSUM is sharpshooter Tori Ratz. The Fergus Falls, Minn., native has to be considered one of the most lethal deep threats in the NSIC. Ratz connected on 70.6 percent of her limited three-point attempts a season ago. Ratz scored a season-best 12 points to help lift the Dragons over Minot State on February 8, 2024. 

Sensationally Loaded...MSUM welcomes back a host of sophomores who all saw valuable minutes as true freshmen last season. Guard Ashley Fritz made starts in all 29 games for the Dragons while Karlee Fisher was a needed piece off the bench for MSUM. Fisher and Fritz combined to average 11.3 points per game in 2023-24. Abby Berge brings her versatility back to the floor following a season where she averaged 7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds. Rounding out the class is the lengthy Katelyn Maciej and sharpshooter Adie Wagner.

The New Fab Five...MSUM brought in five newcomers led by graduate transfer guard DJ Davis. The University of North Dakota transfer bolsters impeccable speed and defensive abilities for MSUM. The Dragons also welcome four true freshmen with all potentially poised to see minutes in 2024-25. Ashton Safranski looks to be a future dynamo one guard while posts Tresa Baumgard and Ayelishka Teko-Folly offer up incredible athletic ability. Clark, S.D., product Caylin Kelly will provide a solid tweener guard/forward on both ends for the Dragons.

Karla Nelson begins her 25th season as head coach of MSUM women's basketball on Friday.