MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball will begin the 2025-26 season this weekend at the Central Region Showcase in St. Joseph, Mo. The Dragons take on Missouri Western on Friday at 7 p.m. before battling Emporia State on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Please note that the MIAA Network is a pay-per-view service. 

Matchup History...Friday's meeting with the Griffons will be the fourth all-time meeting between the two programs. Most recently, Missouri Western defeated the Dragons inside Nemzek Fieldhouse on November 21, 2024, by a 68-57 score. In total, the Griffons have won all three meetings with the Dragons. Prior to last season's contest, the most recent meeting between the two schools came on December 13, 2002, when the Griffons narrowly edged MSUM, 76-73. The first-ever meeting came in 1978 as the Griffons defeated the Dragons, 74-54 in the AIAW Playoffs. Saturday's matchup with the Hornets will be the first-ever meeting between the two long-standing programs. 

Dragons At The Regional Showcase...Moorhead has opened the last four seasons as part of a Regional Challenge. The last victory for the Dragons in a Regional Challenge setting came on November 11, 2022 where MSUM defeated Rogers State, 63-40. The game was played inside the friendly confines of Nemzek Fieldhouse.

Talking Preseason... Moorhead was selected seventh overall in the NSIC preseason rankings, but were picked to win the North Division. Senior post Terryn Johnson collected 'player to watch' distinction for the Dragons. The Dragons earned 140 points in the overall poll to earn the seventh place spot. In the North Division poll, Moorhead earned the top spot behind 43 points and three first-place votes. Mary, Minnesota Duluth and Northern State also earned first-place nods in the divisional rankings. Johnson collects preseason 'player to watch' honors following a junior campaign that saw her earn All-NSIC Second Team honors. The Kindred, N.D., native averaged 10.8 points per game last season to go along with a team-best 8.6 rebounds a contest. Johnson was one the NSIC's top players in the field goal percentage category, marking a 56 percent success rate a season ago.'

A Strong Core...Moorhead returns nine players from the 2024-25 roster, headlined by the senior Johnson as well as Abby Berge and Ashton Safranski, both of which are poised for standout seasons. Junior Karlee Fisher was named a team captain ahead of the season and will look to use her knockdown shooting abiility to her advantage. Sharpshooter Adie Wagner will also play a key role for MSUM. Emily Srejma, Katelyn Maciej and Ayelishka Teko-Folly will all see valuable time in the paint for Moorhead as  well. Sophomore Caylin Kelly was also stellar off the bench a season ago, with more minutes surely ahead.

Newcomers Abound, Too...The Dragons added five true freshmen and a pair of transfers to the fold this season. All five of Moorhead's freshmen are expected to make an impact, led by forward Sydney Dahl. Aubrey Morrison and Abby John have also proven themselves to be effective throughout the preseason. MSUM's transfers include knockdown shooter Greta Hillukka (Mayville State) and athletic guard Grace Massaquoi (North Dakota State). 

Coach Nelson At Year 26...Head coach Karla Nelson embarks on her 26th season at the helm of Dragon women's basketball on Friday. Entering the season, Nelson features 426 career wins, the most of any basketball coach in MSUM history (both genders). Friday's contest against the Griffons will be Nelson's 700th career game coached at MSUM. 

Karla Nelson is in her 26th season as MSUM's head women's basketball coach. 

Scouting The Opposition

Missouri Western
2025 Record: 0-2 (0-0 MIAA)
2024 Record: 20-10 (14-5 MIAA)
Head Coach: Luke Scheidecker (1st Season)
Nickname: Griffons
Top Griffon: Nakiya Harris (14 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 60 FG)

Emporia State
2025 Record: 0-0 (0-0 MIAA)
2024 Record: 10-10 (5-14 MIAA)
Head Coach: MJ Baker (1st Season)
Nickname: Hornets
Top Hornet: Gracie Gilpin (12.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 38.8 FG)