WARRENSBURG, Mo. – A shot from
Emily Srejma late in overtime helped push Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball over Central Missouri on Tuesday. Srejma's shot spoiled UCM's School Day Game as the Dragons prevailed, 68-66.
Moorhead would open the scoring in the first quarter as
Terryn Johnson posted her first points of the morning. Johnson and
Karlee Fisher would have four early points for the Dragons, who held a 9-7 lead midway through the first period. Central Missouri would claw back in front thanks to extra opportunities. The Jennies led 10-9 after a three from star Reese Schaaf, which came following three offensive rebounds.
MSUM would be able to pull back in front thanks to timely offense from
Ashton Safranski and
Abby Berge. Safranski nailed a three-pointer before Berge converted on an and-one. Following two freebies from
Grace Massaquoi, the Dragons led 17-13. At the end of the first quarter, Moorhead led 17-15 as Johnson, Fisher and Safranski all scored four points.
While Moorhead would be held scoreless for over four minutes to start the second frame, the Dragons still retained a one-point advantage. MSUM was able to hold Central Missouri without a basket for over three minutes in the same stretch to keep the lead.
Abby John would break the drought for both squads, scoring to put the Dragons up, 21-18. The Jennies would rally back to take a 23-21 lead with three minutes to play in the half.
Central Missouri would lead by as many as five points before the Dragons came clawing back. Johnson would score on a lovely delivery from freshman
Aubrey Morrison to spark Moorhead. Morrison would score the final five points of the half, including a stepback triple as time expired. The Dragons led 28-27 at the break led by Johnson and Safranski, who scored six points each.
The Dragons would surge out of the halftime locker room, using a 10-0 burst to take a 42-31 lead. Berge began the spurt with her ninth point of the game before Safranski and Johnson traded baskets for the 11-point advantage. Central Missouri would whittle that deficit down to six points by the end of the frame. Johnson led MSUM with 11 points to that point in the contest.
MSUM would continue to hold an eight-point lead early in the fourth quarter before Johnson fouled out with just over six minutes to play. With under four minutes to go, Moorhead remained in front by three points as crunch time loomed. By the two-minute mark, Central Missouri had evened the score at 53 points. The Jennies would later take the lead at 57-55 with under a minute to go. Massaquoi would then knock down a tough jumper in the paint with two seconds remaining to even the count at 57 points. The Dragons would buckle down defensively to force overtime with the teams tied at 57 points.
The Jennies would race out to a five-point lead to begin the extra session with Moorhead beginning zero of five from the floor. MSUM would continue to fight, however, bringing the score to within two points after foul shots from Berge. On the ensuing Dragon possession
Ayelishka Teko-Folly would score on a nifty post move while being fouled. While Teko-Folly would miss the potential game-tying free throw,
Caylin Kelly would knock the rebound up in the air, with the ball eventually landing with Berge. The junior would get fouled on a drive to the rim and would drain both foul shots. Leading 66-65, the Dragons would foul with 20 seconds to go. Luckily for MSUM, Central Missouri would only make one of two attempts, keeping the game tied at 66 points. With one final possession before a potential double overtime, it was the Dragons who got the last laugh.
Senior
Emily Srejma would put up a midrange jumper with the ball banking home and providing the Dragons a 68-66 lead. With no timeouts, the Jennies were forced to race up court, later missing a potential game-tying shot. The Dragons would hang on thanks to the clutch shot from Srejma.
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Up Next
The Dragons (2-1) are set to begin NSIC play next week in a Tuesday night clash with Minnesota Crookston. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. in Moorhead.
