MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball erupted for 112 points in a Black Friday affair against visiting Alaska Fairbanks. The Dragons blew the doors off the Nanooks in a 112-63 conquest. 

It would take the Dragons some time to settle in on the offensive end as the home team led by just two points (7-5) three minutes into the contest. A 6-0 Dragon run, capped by a basket from Ashton Safranski, would put Moorhead in front by six points just ahead of the midway point of the first quarter. The Dragons would do an incredible job of sharing the ball throughout the frame as seven Moorhead players would score in the first 10 minutes. Freshman Aubrey Morrison would score four points late to keep the Dragon lead at six points. A three-pointer from fellow freshman Abby John would ignite a 7-0 burst to end the frame. After 10 minutes, MSUM led 29-17. 

Sophomore Caylin Kelly would take command of the Dragon offense in the second stanza, scoring the first six points of the quarter for MSUM. John would score four straight not long after to balloon the lead to 17 points midway through the frame. The Dragons continued to get strong looks at the basket thanks to a dazzling press break. As the Nanooks implemented their pressure, Moorhead would combat it by splitting a double team trap and pacing down court for easy baskets. Emily Srejma would score to put the Dragons up 19 points. However, MSUM was not done there as they would close the second quarter on a 10-2 run to lead 57-30 at the break. 

Moorhead would firmly maintain control of the game as the third quarter began, outscoring the Nanooks 33-16 in the period. The Dragons would begin the second half on another 10-2 run, paced by six points from Johnson and four from Kelly. Grace Massaquoi would dominate the middle portion of the stanza, scoring six of her 12 points in the stretch. The athletic guard utilized her skill and quickness to get inside and score with ease. Morrison would drill a three-pointer with just under three minutes to go to have the Dragons up 49 points (88-39). 

The Dragon bench would lead the way in the final 10 minutes, led by another impressive performance from Morrison. The freshman found a nice connection with forward Katelyn Maciej as the junior would score four early points to put the Dragons over the century mark. True freshman Julia MacAdams would also get in on the action, scoring down low following an offensive rebound. Before the end of the quarter, Maciej had scored nine points while Greta Hillukka swished home a triple. Moorhead would win the game 112-63 as 11 Dragons scored a basket in the game.

John, Kelly, Morrison, Massaquoi and Johnson would all notch double-figure scoring efforts for the Dragons as well. John led the way with 22 points, followed closely by Kelly, who scored a career-high 20 points with eight rebounds and five steals. MSUM was active on defense all afternoon, forcing 26 turnovers and logging 17 steals as a unit. Safranski was the key facilitator for Moorhead, dishing out a career-high 11 assists, just two shy of the single-game school record. 

Top Dragons

• Abby John: 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals
• Caylin Kelly: 20 points, eight rebounds, five steals
• Aubrey Morrison: 14 points, four steals
• Terryn Johnson: 11 points, four rebounds
• Grace Massaquoi: 12 points, two rebounds
• Katelyn Maciej: Nine points, four rebounds
• Ashton Safranski: Six points, 11 assists, one steal

Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game

The 112 points scored by the Dragons this afternoon is the second-highest tally in program history behind the 115 points scored against Northland Baptist on December 6, 2003. Today is the first 100-point game for the Dragons since their 101-97 four overtime win over Winona State on February 2, 2018. It is the first 100-point home game since January 20, 2007, when the Dragons vanquished Southwest Minnesota State, 105-57. Lastly, it is the first 100-point win in a non-conference game since November 23, 2004, when the Dragons defeated Augsburg, 101-36. 

Up Next

MSUM (4-1, 1-0 NSIC) returns to conference play next week as they look towards a road meeting with Bemidji State on Thursday beginning at 7:30 p.m.