SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – MSU Moorhead women's basketball would see another high-powered offense in NSIC action Saturday evening. The Dragons fell to Sioux Falls on the road, 87-67.
The Dragon offense began strong as
Ashton Safranski would work quickly towards the rim for the game's first basket. Safranski converted on the and-one and had five quick points after a turnaround jumper. The freshman's offense, coupled with five points from
Karlee Fisher in the same span, provided MSUM a 12-8 lead. Despite a
Caylin Kelly three-pointer, USF would respond with an 8-0 run to lead 18-15.
By the end of the first quarter, USF would lead 23-21 after hitting three of five long range shots in the frame. Safranski, Fisher and Kelly all had five points for MSUM. A three-point make from
Abby Berge would snap a nearly four-minute Dragon dry spell in the second period.
Offense would come at a premium for both clubs, but the Dragons especially. Sioux Falls would outscore MSUM 14-8 in the period with three of the eight Dragon points coming off free throws. MSUM made just two of 15 field goal attempts in the period for a 13.3 percent clip. The Dragons also fell victim to six turnovers and trailed 37-29 at halftime. Kelly and
Terryn Johnson led MSUM with seven points each. Johnson also had nine rebounds in the first half.
The Cougars would come out of the locker room on a 13-2 run to balloon their advantage to 19 points. MSUM would get needed baskets from Fisher and
Natalie Jens from there to help cut into the USF lead. However, Sioux Falls would have the more consistent offense throughout the third period. MSUM struggled with turnovers again, committing five in the third quarter. The Cougars led 63-45 heading into the fourth quarter as Fisher and Kelly each had 10 points for the Dragons.
It was the catch-and-shoot chances where Fisher saw success, as she would drain her third triple of the game early in the final quarter. Sioux Falls proved too potent on offense, seemingly knocking down every long range shot they attempted. Near the midway point of the quarter, USF had been shooting 10 of 16 from three-point range (62.5 percent). That did not deter the Dragons, who would see some sparks late thanks to makes from Jens and Johnson.
MSUM would come as close as 11 points late in the game before Sioux Falls put the contest on ice. The Cougars claimed the game 87-67 as five Dragons scored in double figures. Fisher and Jens led with 14 points each while Johnson and Berge each had 11 points. Johnson added 11 rebounds as well with Kelly scoring 10 points.
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MSUM (6-10, 4-5 NSIC) will continue a road stretch next weekend against Minnesota State and Winona State. The Dragons match up with the Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
