MOORHEAD, Minn. (MSUM Athletics)– Behind a 47-26 rebound advantage, including 20 offensive rebounds, the MSU Moorhead women’s basketball team defeated Wayne State 73-63 tonight inside Nemzek Fieldhouse.
A hotly contested first quarter was highlighted by stiff defense from both teams. Wayne State opened the game with a fullcourt press, forcing the Dragons to be smart and efficient on the offensive end. MSUM held the Wildcats scoreless for over four minutes in the latter stages of the quarter. Through 10 minutes, the two teams were even at 16 points apiece. The Dragons finished the quarter on a 6-0 run. Natalie Jens and Peyton Boom combined for 10 points in the quarter.
Wayne State continued to pressure in the second quarter, causing some issues for the Dragons offensively. MSUM shot one of six from the field to begin the quarter before two Natalie Jens three pointers put the Dragons in front 34-33 late in the quarter. Jens finished the half with a team-high 19 points including four three-point field goals. Following a game where the sophomore scored 13 points in one quarter, Jens scored 14 points in the second quarter tonight. At half, the Dragons led the Wildcats 39-35.
Peyton Boom added nine points and seven rebounds in the quarter. Of those seven rebounds, six of them were offensive. As a team, MSUM outrebounded Wayne State 22-13 in the first half.
Jens continued to excel in the third quarter while Boom picked up another double-double midway through the frame. Bailey Keske put in a pretty lay-up on a Doc Rivers dribble drive to give the Dragons their largest lead of the game, 54-47, with under four minutes left in the third quarter. By quarter’s end, MSUM held a 56-54 advantage. Through three quarters, MSUM held a 36-17 rebounding advantage over the Wildcats, including 18 offensive rebounds.
MSUM continued to control the scoreboard into the fourth quarter. The Dragons secured an eight-point lead, their largest of the game to that point, with just under five minutes remaining in the contest. With just over two minutes remaining, Peyton Boom secured her 17th rebound of the game, a new career-high. By game’s end, the senior had 18 rebounds, 12 of them offensive.
Down the stretch, MSUM held Wayne State scoreless for over five and a half minutes. That proved to be the difference maker as the Dragons held on for a 73-63 victory. In the win, head coach Karla Nelson picked up her 392nd career victory.
Top Dragons
- Natalie Jens: 29 points, five rebounds
- Peyton Boom: 17 points, 18 rebounds (new career high), four assists
- Mariah McKeever: 12 points, six rebounds
Steve d’Eustachio’s Stat of the Game
Besides tonight, the only time in program history the Dragons entered a game with a 6-5 record and coming off two straight losses was when they beat Mayville State 79-66 on January 1, 1999.
Up Next
MSUM (7-5, 4-4 NSIC) is back on the floor tomorrow afternoon. The Dragons will take on Augustana at 3:30 p.m. inside Nemzek Fieldhouse.
Game Recap: Women’s Basketball | 1/6/2023 7:18:00 PM | Nolan Schmidt