MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball is ready to take on the NSIC gauntlet with matchups with Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth on the docket this week. The Dragons take on the Beavers at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday before hosting the Bulldogs at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. 

Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Fans can watch the contest against the Bulldogs on the Dragon Digital Network with Steve d'Eustachio on play-by-play and Jared Bledsoe on commentary. Saturday's game can also be listened to on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with 'Big Game' James McCarty and Jace Denman on the call. 

Matchup History...The Dragons have enjoyed success against the Beavers in recent memory. Moorhead has claimed five of the last six meetings between the two, most recently on December 14, 2024 (64-55). The Dragons have won 27 of the last 33 meetings with the Beavers dating back to the 2008-09 season. The opposite is true for MSUM against Minnesota Duluth as the Bulldogs have claimed the last eight meetings. MSUM has not defeated Minnesota Duluth since January 24, 2020 when Moorhead topped the Bulldogs, 56-51. 

Over The Century Mark...Moorhead eclipsed the 100-point mark against Alaska Fairbanks. The 112 points scored by the Dragons is the second-highest tally in program history behind the 115 points scored against Northland Baptist on December 6, 2003. It was the first 100-point game for Moorhead since 2018.

Like That Part II...True freshman guard Abby John was superb again for the Dragons last week. To open NSIC play against Minnesota Crookston, John notched a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Of John's 10 boards, four came on the offensive glass. The Barnesville, Minn., native led the Dragons with 22 points, seven rebounds and three steals in the win over Alaska Fairbanks. John held a field goal percentage of 80 percent against the Nanooks. For the week, John shot over 60 percent from the floor. 

Career Effort For Caylin...Sophomore Caylin Kelly was a key piece to Moorhead's offense in the win over Alaska Fairbanks. Kelly scored a career-high 20 points and nearly collected a double-double, securing eight rebounds. The Clark, S.D., native was also active on defense, earning a game-high five steals in the Dragon victory. Kelly scored nine points with eight rebounds for MSUM against Minnesota Crookston on Tuesday. 

Safranski: The Great Facilitator...Sophomore guard Ashton Safranski was the key facilitator for the Dragons against the Nanooks. Safranski ended the contest with a career-high 11 assists, accounting for 40 percent of Moorhead's assisted baskets. The 11 assists for Safranski was just two shy of the single-game school record held by both Krista Opheim (2010) and Lisa Clark (1987). 

Newcomers On Go...A pair of Dragon newcomers turned in strong showings against the Nanooks on Saturday. Transfer guard Grace Massaquoi scored 12 points on 50 percent shooting while freshman Aubrey Morrison scored 14 points. Morrison shot 75 percent from the floor for the game, but was also active on defense, collecting four steals. 

Crushing The Glass...Moorhead was downright dominant on the glass last week. Overall, MSUM held a plus-26 advantage in the rebounding column over two games. The Dragons held a plus-eight mark against the Golden Eagles on Tuesday. Against the Nanooks, Moorhead pulled down 18 more rebounds for a total of 53 boards. 

Something of Note...Senior forward Terryn Johnson sits at 806 career points entering this week. Johnson scored a team-high 18 points against Minnesota Crookston. The Kindred, N.D., native added 11 points against Alaska Fairbanks.

Karla Nelson is in her 26th season as MSUM's head women's basketball coach. 

Scouting The Opposition

Bemidji State
2025 Record: 3-2 (0-1 NSIC)
2024 Record: 6-20 (4-18 NSIC)
Head Coach: Chelsea Stoltenberg (11th Season)
Nickname: Beavers
Top Beaver: Kassandra Caron (17.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 46 FG, 45.5 3PFG)

Minnesota Duluth
2025 Record: 3-2 (1-0 NSIC)
2024 Record: 10-18 (8-14 NSIC)
Head Coach: Mandy Pearson (11th Season)
Nickname: Bulldogs
Top Bulldog: Claire Bjorge (13.6 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 50 FG)