MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball utilized a fierce defensive effort to claim their first NSIC win of the 2025-26 season. The Dragons bested Minnesota Crookston on Tuesday evening, 74-58.
The Dragons made a concerted effort to get the ball down low in the early stages.
Terryn Johnson would score the first two baskets for Moorhead before
Abby John netted four points of her own. Midway through the first period, MSUM led 10-4. Minnesota Crookston would get within one point late in the period before
Adie Wagner swished home a triple to get Moorhead back in front by four. The Golden Eagles would end the quarter on a 6-0 run to lead 15-13 after one period.
Minnesota Crookston would continue to hold a narrow lead at the outset of the second frame before
Caylin Kelly showed up. The sophomore scored five straight points, capped by a corner three-pointer to get MSUM back up, 25-23. With just over three minutes remaining in the first half,
Aubrey Morrison would add a three of her own to put the Dragons up five points. A lay-in from
Grace Massaquoi had the Dragons in front by seven points with just over 60 seconds to play. At the break, Moorhead led 30-26 behind eight points from Johnson.
Moorhead would surge out of the locker room, opening the half on an 8-0 run to push their lead to double figures.
Ashton Safranski would get the run started, followed by baskets from John and
Karlee Fisher. MSUM would continue to get the ball inside for easy looks, holding a 12-point advantage following another basket from Johnson. The Dragons would hold their largest lead of the period in 14 points following a pair of freebies from John. Before the end of the quarter, Fisher would provide Moorhead some momentum with a basket as time expired. Heading into the fourth quarter, MSUM led 49-42.
The Golden Eagles would not go away quietly as they used a fullcourt press and the long range shot to pull within four points with over six minutes to go. MSUM would slow the game down from there, getting to the foul line and converting on their foul shots. Down the stretch, Moorhead had full command of the contest, finishing the game on an 11-3 run to secure a 74-58 win.
The freshman John was excellent on both ends of the floor for MSUM, scoring 17 points to go along with 10 rebounds, one steal and a blocked shot. Of John's 10 rebounds, four were on the offensive glass. Johnson led all Dragon scorers with 18 points and seven rebounds. Moorhead also did a great job neutralizing Minnesota Crookston star guard Emma Miller, who shot just 7-22 (0-7 from three) from the floor in the game.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
Tonight was the 29th home game all-time between the Dragons and Minnesota Crookston, and the Dragons have never lost two straight at home to the Golden Eagles.
Up Next
MSUM (3-1, 1-0 NSIC) looks towards a home non-conference matchup with Alaska Fairbanks on Friday at 2 p.m.
