BISMARCK, N.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball looked sharp offensively on Saturday against the University of Mary. However, the Marauders would use the long range shot to defeat the Dragons, 84-78.
The Marauders would race out to a five-point lead in the first quarter before a triple from
Caylin Kelly cut the deficit to one possession. Moorhead would keep pace with UMary, trailing by five points after a jumper from
Aubrey Morrison. The true freshman would score seven points in the first quarter to lead the Dragons, who trailed 22-17 after 10 minutes. MSUM would keep pace despite the Marauders making four three-pointers in the first period.
Morrison and
Ashton Safranski would enliven the Dragons into the second quarter. Safranski would score five straight points early to get Moorhead back within a point. The Dragon defense would help jumpstart a 7-0 run midway through the quarter to give MSUM a one-point advantage. Safranski knocked down another three-pointer to provide the lead. After Kelly banked in a three-pointer, Moorhead led by four points.
At the intermission, the teams would be tied at 40 points as the home team closed the quarter on a 6-0 run. Kelly led the Dragons with 12 points and six rebounds. Morrison scored 11 points with Safranski adding 10. The Dragons made five of nine three-point attempts in the first half.
UMary would begin the second half by outscoring the Dragons 12-6 to take a 52-47 lead midway through the quarter. Safranksi would hit another timely three-pointer to get Moorhead to within two points. A late and-one from Morrison would tie the score at 57 points through three quarters.
The teams would trade the lead to begin the fourth quarter with Safranski scoring five straight for MSUM. UMary would heat up from three-point range to take a five-point advantage with six minutes to go in the game. The Marauders would use the long range shot to advance their lead to nine points a minute later.
A step back triple from Morrison kept the Dragons breathing late in the contest, making the count 78-75 in favor of UMary. The Marauders would have one final push to secure the contest in their favor. UMary claimed the game 84-78 with Safranski scoring 21 points to lead MSUM. Morrison scored 17 points while Kelly added 16 points, six rebounds and six assists.
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MSUM (4-5, 1-4 NSIC) hosts Northern State and Jamestown in NSIC action next week.
