MOORHEAD, Minn. -- An impressive second-half effort helped lift MSU Moorhead women's basketball to a massive NSIC win to cap the regular season. The Dragons upended #25 Minnesota State, 74-69.
Inside The Game
- Things wouldn't begin great for the Dragons as Minnesota State used their patented press defense to stifle the Dragons early.
- The Mavericks would build an advantage as large as 11 points (19-8) in the first period before Natalie Jens hit a three-pointer.
- MSUM would trail 19-11 after one quarter of play and would begin the second frame on a 6-0 run thanks to four points from Jens and a lay-in from Ashton Safranski.
- The Dragons would keep pace throughout the quarter, but live ball turnovers proved costly as Minnesota State would rebuild their lead back to 11 points late in the half.
- Jens would hit a triple with just under a minute to play to make the score 38-30 at the half. MSUM committed 15 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
- The effort was there all evening for MSUM, who raced out on a 17-2 run to begin the third quarter, eventually leading by six points, 47-41.
- Abby Berge led the Dragon effort with five points, but Ashley Fritz and Katelyn Maciej each scored critical baskets in the run.
- Jens would cap the run with a scintillating dribble move, followed by a three-pointer.
- On Senior Night, Jens would take over down the stretch in the third quarter, scoring five points late.
- MSUM led 54-47 after three quarters, outscoring the Mavericks 24-9 in the tperiod. The Dragons shot an impressive 60 percent in the frame.
- The Dragons would again begin the final frame strong with a 6-0 run to push their lead into double figures at 60-47.
- Caylin Kelly would swish home a corner triple with just over six minutes to go to give the Dragons their largest lead in 14 points.
- Minnesota State would not remain quiet much longer, whittling the MSUM lead back down to three points with two to play thanks to a solid effort from star guard Natalie Bremer.
- Berge would put in a needed basket with under two to go to keep the Dragons up five points.
- Strong defense down the stretch would provide MSUM the win as Safranski put the game on ice late with foul shots.
- MSUM was much cleaner in the second half with only six turnovers.
- Jens led the way all night with 22 points and five rebounds. Berge was dominant as well, netting 17 points with eight rebounds.
- Per usual, Safranski was all over the box score with 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
Today's win marks the fourth year in a row the Dragons will enter the NSIC tournament following a regular season-ending win.
Up Next
MSUM (13-15, 11-11 NSIC) is set to host Wayne State College on Wednesday as part of the NSIC Tournament First Round. Action from Nemzek Fieldhouse begins at 6 p.m.
