MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead women's basketball will look to build a winning streak this weekend in a pair of NSIC challenges. The Dragons meet up with Augustana on Friday at 7:30 p.m. before welcoming Wayne State for a 5:30 p.m. tilt on Saturday.
Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Fans can listen to the game against the Wildcats on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with Jace Denman and 'Big Game' James McCarty on the call.
Matchup History...The Dragons have won the last two meetings with the Vikings, sweeping Augie in 2023-24. Prior to last season, Augie had won four of the previous five meetings against the Dragons. In the last 20 games overall, each team has won 10 times. MSUM also holds a winning streak over Wayne State ahead of Saturday's matchup, having defeated the Wildcats each of the last three times. The Dragons have won seven of the last eight games with WSC. The Wildcats have not consecutively beaten the Dragons since the 2014-15 season where they claimed wins on February 6, 2015 and March 2, 2015 at the NSIC Tournament.
Last Time Out...The Dragons are coming off a weekend of split results against Minnesota State and Winona State. The 10th-ranked Mavericks handled the Dragons, 94-66. MSUM would snap its seven-game losing skid the next night against Winona State, winning 69-47.
Abby Berge and
Natalie Jens led the Dragons against the Warriors, scoring a combined 42 points.
Off The Schneid...The Dragons were able to eradicate its seven-game losing streak against Winona State. It matches the longest streak (2023-24) of defeats in
Karla Nelson's tenure as head coach. The Dragons have not lost more than seven games consecutively since the 1995-96 season when the Dragons dropped nine straight across November and December, 1995.
Doing It The Right Way...MSUM used its patented form of basketball to collect a win over Winona State. The Dragons returned to form on defense, only allowing 47 points, the second-lowest total of the season so far. MSUM was stingy all around, holding the Warriors to just a 29.3 percent success rate from the floor. The Dragons clamped down in the final quarter, holding Winona State scoreless for the final 6:04 of regulation.
Feelin' Berge...Sophomore
Abby Berge was the real driver of offense in the second half against Winona State. Berge scored five points in the first half, but surged in the final 20 minutes, pouring in 16 points. The Sunburg, Minn., native shot an impressive 75 percent from the floor (8-12) in the game, including 60 percent (3-5) from three-point range. To cap the performance, Berge snared 13 rebounds to stamp her fifth career double-double. Berge's 21 points is a new career-high while her 13 rebounds matches her Dragon best.
You're Gonna Leave Her Open?...Senior guard
Natalie Jens had her best showing against WSU since returning from injury. Jens scored 19 points in the first half against the Warriors, including making four of six three-point attempts. The Beaver Dam, Wis., native was seemingly left open for a majority of the half, shooting 77.8 percent overall through 20 minutes.
Keep It Glassy...Despite an unfavorable result against Minnesota State, MSUM came out of the weekend holding a plus-21 advantage on the glass. This included a plus-18 difference (49-31) against Winona State. The 49 rebounds by the Dragons matches the team's season best.
Quick Scout...Augustana enters Friday with a minus-10 mark in the rebounding battle. The Vikings are led by Olivia Hayenga who scores 11.4 points per game. The forward duo of Maya Fitzpatrick and Kylah vanDonkersgoed lead Wayne State with a combined 25.8 points per game.
Karla Nelson is in her 25th season at the helm of MSUM women's basketball.
