BISMARCK, N.D. – MSU Moorhead women's basketball won its fourth straight game on Saturday evening. The Dragons controlled an NSIC matchup with the Mary Marauders, 65-43.
Both teams would use defense in the early moments with Mary's offense holding the advantage. While the Dragons were stern in their sets, the Marauders would convert on tough shots as well as capitalize on numerous Dragon turnovers. Mary led 14-4 with just over four minutes to play in the first quarter.
A six-point spark from
Emily Srejma helped snap a 9-0 Marauders run late in the frame. Srejma drilled a trio of midrange jumpers to give the Dragons an offensive rhythm. The Dragons closed the quarter on a 8-2 run, but still trailed 16-12 as MSUM fell victim to five costly turnovers. Srejma's six led the Dragons with
Natalie Jens converting on a tough pair of field goals as well.
Abby Berge would catch fire in the second quarter, scoring the first five points for the Dragons. On the other end, MSUM employed a fullcourt press, which stifled the Marauders offensively. Berge cashed a three to give the Dragons their first lead of the game (18-16) with seven minutes to play in the half.
Karlee Fisher and
Caylin Kelly would swish home back-to-back threes midway through the frame to keep MSUM up two points.
Srejma would again take over late in the quarter, burying another long midrange jumper, followed by a blocked shot. The junior would make a hustle play a few possessions later, racing for an offensive rebound and throwing it off a Marauder before falling out of bounds. Srejma's effort allowed the Dragons to control the remainder of the quarter. Jens would score seven straight points, capped by a triple, to give MSUM a 35-24 lead.
MSUM led 36-26 at the break, closing the second quarter on a 13-2 run. Jens was efficient and sharp offensively, scoring 11 points on five of seven shooting. Berge and Srejma added eight points each for the Dragons in the first 20 minutes. The Dragons shot 53.8 percent from the floor in the half and were effective on the other end, holding the Marauders to a 34.5 percent clip.
A 6-0 Marauder run out of the locker room would pull the game closer, 36-32.
Ashley Fritz would halt the Mary burst with a transition three-pointer. Two freebies from Berge put the Dragon lead back into double digits midway through the period (45-35). By the end of the third quarter, MSUM retained a 10-point advantage, 47-37. Both teams were cold from the floor with the Marauders (20 percent) holding a small edge on the Dragons (15.4 percent).
Scoring continued to come at a premium at the beginning of the fourth quarter. However, it was MSUM who returned to a scheme that worked all afternoon. Srejma would get a pass off a pick and roll, draining another long two-pointer. The basket snapped a dry spell for the Dragons and moved their lead to 13 points (51-38). Credit to the Dragons, who effectively slowed the pace of the game from there. MSUM also forced tough attempts on the defensive end, holding the Marauders scoreless for over four minutes.
Ultimately, Jens would pace the Dragons with five points down the stretch, ballooning the lead to 17 points. MSUM would collect its fourth straight victory behind a 65-43 victory. Jens led the way for MSUM, flirting with a double-double of 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists. However, it was the Dragon defense that won MSUM the contest. The Marauders shot 22.4 percent from the floor with star guard Bergen Kinnebrew scoring 10 points (2-13 FG).
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Up Next
MSUM (4-4, 2-0 NSIC) looks towards road contests with St. Cloud State and Bemidji State next weekend. The stretch begins against the Huskies on Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m.
