ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball overcame a harsh first half to defeat Emporia State on Saturday. The Dragons put together a strong second half at the Central Region Showcase, defeating the Hornets 60-48.
Both teams would struggle to score the ball in the first quarter with Moorhead holding a two-point lead (6-4) after a score from freshman
Aubrey Morrison. By the end of the first frame, MSUM held a narrow 10-9 lead with both teams shooting below 30 percent for the period. Morrison scored four points for the Dragons in the stanza.
The teams would trade baskets early in the second quarter before
Abby Berge put the Dragons back in front by two points (15-13). Moorhead would continue to lead by two points after baskets from
Grace Massaquoi and
Ayelishka Teko-Folly. Junior
Karlee Fisher would drill a three-pointer with just under two minutes to play to have MSUM in front, 26-24. However, the Hornets would later tie the score again as the teams went into the locker room knotted at 26 points.
Offensive struggles would continue to plague both teams as the second half commenced. The squads would combine for four points through the first four minutes of action before Moorhead created some separation.
Terryn Johnson would put the Dragons back up by two points before three straight points from
Ashton Safranski gave MSUM its largest lead to that point (33-28). An and-one from Safranski shortly after had Moorhead in front by seven points as time waned in the third period.
Safranski's spurt eventually resulted in a 10-point Dragon advantage after three quarters. The sophomore scored eight points in the frame and had a game-high 12 points heading into the final 10 minutes.
Caylin Kelly provided the double figure lead with a late three for the Dragons.
While the Hornets would whittle down the deficit to six points early in the fourth quarter, Moorhead would push the lead back to 10. Safranski would score again while Johnson made the count 49-39 midway through the period. Kelly would score again a few possessions later to give the Dragons their largest lead to that point (51-40). The sophomore Kelly would strike again, netting a triple to put the MSUM lead at 13 points.
Down the stretch, Moorhead would command action, eventually leading by as many as 17 points. The Dragons would win the contest 60-48 after a resurgent second half, led by Safranski. The sophomore scored a game-high 18 points to go along with five rebounds, six assists and five steals. Kellly poured in 10 points off the bench for Moorhead.
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Up Next
MSUM (1-1) travels to Warrensburg, Mo., for a Tuesday morning clash with Central Missouri. Tipoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
