MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead women's basketball will travel for the final two games of the 2023-24 regular season this weekend. The Dragons will put their two-game winning streak on the line in battles against Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State.
Live stats and video will be available at msumdragons.com. MSUM will take on the Coo at 5:30 p.m. on Friday before playing the Mustangs at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Opening Tip
Quick Hits...MSUM snapped a two-game losing streak to the Coo back on January 13 when the Dragons dismantled Sioux Falls inside Nemzek Fieldhouse 75-42. Prior to that, MSUM had not defeated USF since March 4, 2019. The Mustangs claimed the first game against the Dragons, 74-61, on January 12. The Dragons have currently lost the previous four matchups against the Mustangs and have not won in the R/A since January 27, 2017.
The Pivot Foot Strikes Again...Junior guard Natalie Jens turned in two stirring performances for the Dragons last weekend in wins over Wayne State and Augustana. Jens was balanced in her attack, averaging 18 points, seven rebounds, just over five assists and two steals per game. She also made 13 of 15 free throws across the two victories and was named the NSIC's Player of the Week. Jens enters the final week of the regular season with 957 career points.
And The Rain Continues To Fall...Senior Olivia Skibiel had a resurgent performance for MSUM in Saturday's Senior Day victory over Augustana. Skibiel scored 16 first half points to lead the Dragons in scoring. Skibiel connected on four three-pointers in the first two quarters and finished the game shooting 85.7 percent. The senior also started in her 52nd straight game for MSUM on Saturday. Her three-point field goals made ties a Dragon career best as well.
Three-Point Bounce Back...MSUM struggled from long range in Friday night's win over Wayne State, making just two of 15 attempts from behind the line. The Dragons would respond by improving on that percentage against Augustana, connecting on six of 15 attempts for a 40 percent clip for the game. Senior Ashley Gustavson hit the only two three-point field goals against Wayne State (also her former team) while Skibiel, Gustavson and Jens all netted triples against the Vikings.
She Remembered You...Senior Ashley Gustavson was geared up to take on her former team, Wayne State College, on Friday evening. Gustavson had scored six points against the Wildcats back on January 6, but would turn in one of her best performances of the season last Friday. Gus scored 10 points, her second time scoring in double figures, while also grabbing seven rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. Gustavson shot 50 percent from the floor in the Dragon win.
Flying Under The Radar...Sophomore post Terryn Johnson continues to assert herself as one of the NSIC's top rebounders while still flying under the opponent's radar. Johnson is second in the conference in total rebounds (200) and rebounds per game (8). The Kindred, N.D., native currently leads the conference with 67 offensive rebounds this season. MSUM is tied atop the conference in rebound average per game (41.3) and is fourth in rebound margin (plus-4.2).
What They Do Well...Since losing to MSUM on January 13, Sioux Falls has dropped seven of their last nine games, but continue to be led by Kami Wadsworth, who averages a team-best 14 points per game. The Mustangs shoot more three-pointers than anyone in the NSIC, attempting 685 so far this year. Their three-point percentage, attempts per game and makes are all top 15 nationally.
Karla Nelson is in her 24th season as MSUM's head women's basketball coach.
