MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead women's basketball used a strong third quarter to narrowly outlast the University of Mary on Saturday. The Dragons won their third straight game, defeating the Marauders, 67-65. 

Inside The Game

• Back-to-back three-point makes from Ashton Safranski gave the Dragons a three-point lead with three minutes to go in the first period. 
• By the end of the first period, Mary led by just two points (19-17) with Safranski scoring six and Terryn Johnson netting five points. 
• While the Marauders would lead by as many as four points early in the second quarter, MSUM would rally back as the teams traded punches. 
• Mary would lead 34-31 at the break as Johnson led MSUM with 11 points.
• The Dragons would come out of the locker room with a renewed sense of scoring and execution on defense. 
• In total, MSUM would outscore the Marauders 26-12 in the period to lead by 11 points.
• Safranski owned the quarter, but the Dragons would balance their scoring with baskets from Johnson, Natalie Jens, Abby Berge and Karlee Fisher.
• MSUM hit four of seven three-pointers in the third frame. 
• While the Marauders would come back and eventually take the lead (65-64) with 21 seconds to play, MSUM was not quite done. 
• Berge would be fouled with 15 seconds to play, forcing free throws, which the sophomore buried to give MSUM a 66-65 lead. 
• The Marauders would have a nice look to win on the other end, but did not convert. Jens would make another free throw to provide the Dragons a two-point win. 
• Four Dragons scored in double figures, led by Safranski who flirted with a quadruple-double of 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. 
• Johnson extended her double-double streak to six games, netting 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Top Dragons

• Ashton Safranski: 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals
• Terryn Johnson: 15 points, 11 rebounds
• Natalie Jens: 15 points, four rebounds
• Abby Berge: 12 points, four rebounds, four assists

Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game

The Dragons are now 3-0 in February for the first time since 2018 in the heart of their program record-tying 16 game winning streak. The first victory in February of that year was their 101-97 thriller in four overtimes at Winona St.

Up Next

The Dragons (12-12, 10-8 NSIC) look towards a road tilt against Minnesota Duluth on Friday beginning at 7:30 p.m.