WINONA, Minn. – A lights out first half from
Natalie Jens and a dazzling effort from
Abby Berge in the second half helped MSU Moorhead women's basketball to victory Saturday evening. The Dragons snapped their seven-game skid with a 69-47 victory over Winona State.
MSUM would see offensive success in the early stages as
Ashton Safranski helped spark a 10-0 Dragon run to start the game. Safranski had a pair of tough finishes before
Natalie Jens swished home a three-pointer.
Abby Berge would follow suit with a three that bounced high off the rim and in. The Dragons would retain a 16-7 lead late in the first period thanks to another three from Jens.
By the end of the first period, MSUM led 20-11 thanks to nine points from Jens. Safranski added in six for the Dragons, who held Winona State to just four of 14 shooting through 10 minutes. Jens only continued to make the Warriors pay, scoring four quick points to open the second quarter to keep MSUM up 10 points (27-17). Throughout the second quarter, Jens continually found herself wide open, drilling another pair of threes late in the half.
At the break, MSUM led 37-25 with Jens netting 19 points on seven of nine shooting. The senior also connected on four of six three-point attempts. MSUM was able to stifle the Warriors on offense, holding the home team to just 30 percent shooting through 20 minutes.
It was Berge who dominated the opening segment of the third quarter, scoring seven straight Dragon points. The individual effort was capped with a triple, putting MSUM up 44-27. Berge would stamp out a Warrior run late in the quarter with her third three-point make of the game. The Dragons led 55-41 heading into the final quarter as Berge scored 12 points in the period.
The fourth period saw
Terryn Johnson take her turn in driver's seat, scoring six straight Dragon points. Winona State would hold the Dragons scoreless for over three minutes and would trail by 12 points (59-47) midway through the fourth. Johnson would break the scoring drought with a free throw.
Ultimately, it was the Dragon defense that clinched the contest, holding Winona State scoreless for the final 6:04 of regulation. In turn, MSUM bolstered a 10-0 run to close the game. The Dragons won 69-47 with Berge scoring 16 of her career-high 21 points in the second half. Berge also notched a double-double with 13 rebounds, tying her career-best.
Overall the Dragons held a plus-18 advantage on the glass (49-31). Jens was all over the scorebook, per usual, netting a season-best 21 points to go along with seven assists and a pair of steals.
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Up Next
The Dragons (7-11, 5-7 NSIC) will return home for a 7:30 p.m. tilt with Augustana on Friday, January 24.
