MOORHEAD, Minn. -- A career-high 24 points from
Terryn Johnson, coupled with late foul shots from
Grace Massaquoi, helped guide Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball to victory on Thursday evening. The Dragons rallied late to defeat Northern State, 77-76.
The Dragons and Wolves would play a relatively even first quarter with neither team holding a lead larger than three points. Moorhead was quick to get the ball down low to senior post
Terryn Johnson. However, MSUM was effective from three-point range in the first 10 minutes with an
Aubrey Morrison triple putting the Dragons in front, 18-15.
Caylin Kelly would score late in the quarter to have Moorhead up 20-18 after 10 minutes of action.
Johnson would command the Dragon offense in the second quarter, scoring five straight points to have Moorhead in front, 27-22. Northern State would rally back to take a two-point lead with just over three minutes to play in the first half. MSUM would race back in front by two following buckets from Kelly and
Ayelishka Teko-Folly.
Ashton Safranski would score with 28 seconds to play in the second period to have the Dragons in front by one point. Unfortunately for MSUM, Northern State would convert on a basket as time expired to carry a 36-35 lead into the locker room. Johnson had 11 points to lead Moorhead in the first half.
The Wolves would continue to hold a slim lead into the third quarter with the Dragons seemingly answering at every turn. Johnson's inside presence gave the Dragons an advantage, but it was Kelly who seemed to score at just the right moment. The sophomore drilled a three-pointer to cut Northern State's lead to one point with four minutes to go in the third period. Kelly would drain another long range shot late in the quarter to cut the NSU lead to two points (55-53) heading into the final 10 minutes.
Northern State would begin the final quarter by getting to the foul line and slowing the game down. The Wolves would lead by seven points with seven minutes to play in the contest. Moorhead would continue to trail by seven points as the quarter reached a midway point. Kelly would convert on an and-one shortly thereafter to get MSUM to within four points. Following a stop, Johnson would score inside to make the game a one possession affair. Johnson would later score four straight points to tie the game at 69 points. While Northern State would work to regain the lead, a basket from
Grace Massaquoi had the count at 74-73 with under a minute to go.
After the Wolves made one of two free throws on the other end, it was Johnson who scored the timely basket again. The Kindred, N.D., native would score down low off a pass from Safranski, evening the score at 75 points with 17 seconds to go. Moorhead would foul the Wolves on the ensuing possession, but Northern State would make just one of two attempts, leaving the door open for MSUM with seven seconds remaining.
It was Massaquoi who came up big for the Dragons with the game on the line, drawing a foul with three seconds to play. Massaquoi would calmly knock down both attempts to place Moorhead back in front by one point. Northern State's final gasp landed long as MSUM secured the game, 77-76. Johnson scored a career-high 24 points on 81.8 percent shooting (9-11) from the floor. Kelly scored 15 massive points for Moorhead while Massaquoi added 13 in the win.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
Tonight marked the first time the Dragons snapped a four-game losing streak with a home win since posting an 83-63 win over Bemidji St. on Feb. 12, 2022.
Up Next
MSUM (5-5, 2-4 NSIC) looks to build on Thursday's performance in a Saturday evening contest with Jamestown. Tipoff from Nemzek Fieldhouse is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
