ABERDEEN, S.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball secured another overtime win in Wednesday night's NSIC Tournament First Round. The Dragons defeated Northern State thanks to a late foul shot from
Grace Massaquoi, 68-67.
Defensive stops would command much of the early action in the first quarter with Moorhead holding a 6-4 lead.
Terryn Johnson,
Abby Berge and
Karlee Fisher would open the scoring for the Dragons. Three-point makes from
Ashton Safranski and
Aubrey Morrison would have MSUM in front 16-9 late in the first period. Through 10 minutes of action, MSUM led 16-14 as Northern State would close the frame with five straight points.
The Dragons would get their lead back to six points to open the second quarter thanks to five quick points from
Caylin Kelly. After four points from
Grace Massaquoi, Moorhead's lead moved into double figures, 27-17. Safranski would connect on another three late in the period to shift the Dragon lead to 12 points, 34-22. At the break, Moorhead led 34-25 behind seven points from Kelly. Safranski and Massaquoi each added six points in the half.
It was Moorhead's defense that paced the first-half effort, holding the Wolves to 30 percent shooting and six turnovers. MSUM shot 48.3 percent from the floor. The Dragons also connected on four of eight three-pointers in the half.
Scoring would come at a premium for both teams at the top of the second half with a three-pointer from Morrison keeping MSUM in front by eight. Northern State would get back within six points with three minutes to play in the third quarter. The Dragons would hold a narrow 45-42 advantage heading into the final frame.
The Wolves would quickly tie the game early in the final period with Massaquoi keeping the Dragon offense afloat. However, Northern State would possess a three-point lead with six minutes to go in regulation. MSUM would trail by one point (55-54) with under five minutes to go in the quarter. A massive and-one from Johnson would spark the Dragons back into form offensively.
Safranski would drain another three-pointer to put the Dragons back in front by a point, 60-59. Northern State would eventually even the score at 62 points and that score would hold firm through 40 minutes. The teams would enter overtime with Safranski and Massaquoi each scoring 14 points for Moorhead.
Massaquoi continued to lead the Dragons in the overtime session. After a basket from Johnson, Moorhead held a three-point lead with one minute to play. Northern State would even the score at 67 points with under 10 seconds remaining in the frame.
In the final possession, Massaquoi would get to the rim and draw a foul, earning a pair of foul shots. The junior would sink the front end, putting Moorhead up 68-67 with two seconds left. That score would hold firm as the Wolves would be unable to get a good shot attempt off as time expired. Massaquoi led the Dragons with 18 points in the victory.
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Up Next
MSUM (14-13) now moves to the NSIC Quarterfinals at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Dragons take on second-seeded Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
