WINONA, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball dropped a back-and-forth contest with Winona State in NSIC play on Saturday night. The Warriors defeated the Dragons, 84-80 in overtime.
Offense would come at a premium through the first five minutes of action as the teams shot a combined three of 12 from the floor. Winona State would hold a narrow 5-3 advantage midway through the first period. The Dragons would go on to take a 9-7 lead after four points from
Caylin Kelly, coupled with a jumper from
Ashton Safranski. Before the end of the quarter,
Grace Massaquoi would drain a three before
Aubrey Morrison scored on a drive. MSUM led 14-11 after 10 minutes with Safranski and Kelly scoring four points each.
Winona State would regain the lead as their offense settled in early in the second frame. The Warriors would lead by as many four points, but
Ayelishka Teko-Folly would see a six-point flurry to keep Moorhead within a possession. Teko-Folly scored on three straight offensive possessions midway through the quarter.
The home team would carry a 38-35 lead into the locker room after Safranski scored late. Kelly led the Dragons with eight points in the half, followed closely by Teko-Folly and Safranski, who each scored seven. Both teams responded offensively after the harsh opening five minutes, shooting a combined 47.3 percent from the floor. Moorhead connected on 48.1 percent of its shot attempts through 20 minutes.
Both teams would trade baskets throughout the first five minutes of the second half with Winona State retaining four-point lead (46-42).
Karlee Fisher would net a huge three-pointer for Moorhead, pulling the Dragons to within one point. Teko-Folly would give the Dragons the lead once more following a hoop and harm. The teams would be tied at 52 points heading into the final period. Safranski led the Dragons with 13 points, scoring six in the third quarter alone.
Safranski would continue to pace the Dragons on offense into the fourth quarter. The sophomore would give the Dragons a 59-57 lead with less than seven minutes to play. However, the teams would continue to trade punches with one another as the quarter wore on. Midway through the final quarter, Winona State would regain a five-point lead, 66-61.
Moorhead would rally back again, tying the score at 68 points after a triple from Kelly. As the teams remained gridlocked, this time at 70 points, it was
Terryn Johnson who showcased her clutch tendencies. Johnson would deliver a short jumper with four seconds to play to have the Dragons in front by two points. However, Winona State would remain composed, scoring on the ensuing possession to send the game into overtime.
The back-and-forth nature of the game would continue into the extra session with the Dragons trailing by one point with 90 seconds to play. A late technical foul gave the Warriors a four-point advantage with 13 seconds to play. That lead would hold firm as the Warriors won 84-80. Safranski tied her career high, netting 22 points with eight rebounds and four assists.
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MSUM (8-6, 5-5 NSIC) will return to Nemzek Fieldhouse next weekend for meetings with Augustana and Wayne State.
