ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball just couldn't quite muster up a late comeback on Friday evening. The Dragons fell in the 2025-26 season opener to Missouri Western, 68-59.
The contest was head coach
Karla Nelson's 700
th game coached at MSUM.
True freshman
Abby John would pace the Dragon offense in the first quarter, scoring 11 of MSUM's first 13 points. John would bury three triples to help give Moorhead a 13-9 lead. While the Griffons would go on to even the score at 13 points, a jumper from
Terryn Johnson gave the Dragons the lead once more. Through 10 minutes of action, the teams were tied at 16 points with John scoring 12 points.
An
Adie Wagner three ball would get the Dragons on top early in the second quarter (19-17). While Missouri Western would grab a small lead, both teams would go cold from the floor midway through the frame. Late in the half with the Griffons leading by seven points,
Caylin Kelly would knock down a big three for Moorhead. However, Missouri Western would remain in front by seven points at the break, 35-28. John led the Dragons with 14 points while Johnson chipped in five points.
To begin the second half, Missouri Western would build their lead to nine points before a
Karlee Fisher three jumpstarted the Dragons.
Ashton Safranski would follow that up with a three of her own to bring the Dragons within one possession, trailing 39-36. Moorhead would have the count within two points before the Griffons went back in front by five points. Missouri Western would lead by seven points after 30 minutes as MSUM trailed 54-47.
The Griffons would continue to command the score into the final quarter, eventually leading by 10 points (58-48) three minutes into the period. Moorhead would get the score back to within five points after an and-one conversion from
Abby Berge. Neither team would shoot the ball effectively in the quarter as Missouri Western continued to retain a small lead as time dwindled.
MSUM would make one final push for the victory, getting the deficit to five points with 75 seconds to play. The Dragons would fall victim to costly turnovers down the stretch that cost them opportunities to bring the score closer. Missouri Western would hang on to the game, 68-59. John looked superb in her collegiate debut, scoring a game-high 20 points on 70 percent shooting. Berge would add 10 points and eight rebounds while Johnson earned a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Top Dragons
Up Next
MSUM (0-1) is back on the floor in St. Joseph tomorrow for a 4 p.m. clash with Emporia State. It will be the first-ever meeting between the Dragons and Hornets.
