ST. CLOUD, Minn. – MSU Moorhead women's basketball started strong and controlled an NSIC tilt with St. Cloud State on Friday night. The Dragons won their fifth game in a row, topping the Huskies, 63-55. 
 
MSUM would come out blazing on both ends of the floor, building a 9-6 advantage midway through the first period. The Dragons claimed their first lead of the game following a bucket from Emily Srejma. Caylin Kelly would drill a three to give MSUM the three-point lead. Late in the first quarter, MSUM moved their lead to four points after a three from Karlee Fisher. 
 
The Dragons would lead 17-13 after one quarter as Terryn Johnson would convert on a late and-one for MSUM. Srejma led MSUM with four points in the frame, but the Dragon defense was again strong. MSUM held the Huskies to just 18.4 percent shooting through the first 10 minutes. Johnson would earn another and-one to kick off the second quarter to give MSUM a lead of seven points. 
 
Midway through the quarter, MSUM led by six points after Abby Berge and Natalie Jens each scored. Ashton Safranski would net a three late in the frame to keep MSUM up by seven points. Fisher would score the quarter's final basket, giving MSUM its largest lead to that point in eight points. 
 
The Dragons led 32-24 at the break as Johnson scored eight points with four rebounds. St. Cloud State would shoot just 23.3 percent from the floor in the half including one of seven from three. MSUM shot 40 percent and made three long range shots in the first half. 
 
Things would continue to go MSUM's way to start the second half as Berge would score to put MSUM up 12 points. The Huskies would opt for a zone defense midway through the frame, which stifled the Dragons on offense. St. Cloud State would use the defense to pull back within four points, forcing an MSUM timeout. Out of the break, the Dragons scored four quick points to push back in front by eight points. 
 
Johnson would continue to dominate inside for the Dragons, scoring four late points to provide MSUM a 48-39 lead after three quarters. Through 30 minutes, MSUM had held St. Cloud State star guard Jada Eggebrecht to seven points on two of six shooting. 
 
Through the early portions of the fourth quarter, MSUM would continue to control the scoreboard. Berge moved into double figures with just over seven minutes to play to keep the Dragons in front by seven points. The Huskies would come to within three points near the midway portion, but MSUM would surge from there. Johnson would score four quick points to get MSUM to a seven-point lead. 
 
St. Cloud State would only get as close five points throughout the remainder of the contest. MSUM would win the game 63-55 as Johnson would lead the way with 18 points and six rebounds, shooting 80 percent from the floor. Safranski had another breakout showing, nearly notching a triple-double with nine points, six assists and seven rebounds as well as three steals.
 
The victory is Karla Nelson's 299^th NSIC win. 
 
Top Dragons

• Terryn Johnson: 18 points, six rebounds
• Abby Berge: 13 points, eight rebounds
• Ashton Safranski: Nine points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals

 
Up Next
 
MSUM (5-4, 3-0 NSIC) heads to Bemidji, Minn., tomorrow for a 3:30 p.m. bout with the BSU Beavers.