MOORHEAD, Minn. –
Tori Ratz would score a career high 12 points in the fourth quarter to help propel MSU Moorhead women's basketball to an NSIC win over Minot State on Thursday. The Dragons topped the Beavers 56-52.
A defensive affair would break out in the first quarter between the Dragons and Beavers. MSUM would make just one of seven shot attempts to begin the contest. On the other end, Minot State shot just two of 10 and led 5-3 midway through the period.
Ashley Gustavson and
Abby Berge would connect on three-pointers late in the half to put the Dragons in front. After 10 minutes, the Dragons led 15-9, holding Minot State to four of 16 shooting from the floor. Berge led the Dragons with seven points.
The Dragons would continue to hold a 19-17 lead over the Beavers midway through the second frame.
Karlee Fisher would score eight consecutive points late in the half to push the MSUM lead to 27-18. Minot State would be held scoreless for nearly the final two minutes of play in the first half as MSUM led 27-20 at the break. The Dragons shot 41.7 percent from the floor in the half to Minot State's 25 percent. Fisher and Berge combined for 13 points in the half.
MSUM would begin the second half making four of six shot attempts led by three-pointers from
Ashley Fritz and
Natalie Jens. However, Minot State would respond with a pair of threes of their own to keep the score within reason. The Dragons led 37-32 midway through the third period. The Beavers would come roaring back to even the game at 40 points each. Jens would score late in the quarter to give MSUM a 42-40 lead after three.
Tori Ratz would kick off the fourth quarter for the Dragons with a pair of three-point makes. The made baskets from Ratz help put MSUM up three, 48-45. Ratz would can another long distance shot with just over five minutes remaining to bring the Dragon lead to six points. The sophomore would connect on her fourth three of the period to continue her onslaught.
While Minot State would trim the lead to four points with just under 30 seconds remaining, MSUM would still hang on for a 56-52 win.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
With this win, the Dragons now own the following over Minot St.:
- 19-5 record in NSIC play
- 32-7 record all-time vs Minot St.
- 8th two-game regular season sweeps in 12 seasons
Up Next
The Dragons (9-13, 9-8 NSIC) conclude their split week on Saturday with a visit to the University of Mary. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. from Bismarck, N.D.
