MOORHEAD, Minn. – Friday night's matchup between two of the NSIC's top teams and division leaders, needed overtime to be settled. #20 Winona State ended up on the wrong side, falling 70-66 to #17 Minnesota State Moorhead.
The Warriors got off to a fast start as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead, three and a half minutes into the action. The Warriors made four of five shots including, two three-pointers, to start the games before the Dragons needed a timeout in attempt to slow them down. The successful shooting would continue for the Warriors and the Dragons struggled to cut into the Warriors' lead as they close the quarter down 20-9. The Warriors connected for 80% from the field in the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Dragons would do a better job of keeping the Warriors within reach as they scored eight more points than the WSU in the second quarter.
Tara Roelofs chipped in six points in the second period to keep the Warriors ahead. The teams with head to the locker rooms with Winona State up 32-29.
After two empty possessions for the Warriors their three-point lead was erased by a Dragon jumper and two free throws. The dragons held on to their lead the remainder of the quarter. The Warriors head into the fourth quarter trailing by three.
The Warriors fell behind in the third quarter and would trail until a
Kayla Timmerman hit a three-pointer that would get the Warriors back on top with 5:47 left to play in regulation. Two free throws would put the Warriors up four before a Dragon jumper and a layup would tie up the game at 54 with 2:50 remaining. A Warrior turnover would lead to the Dragons regaining a two-point lead with 2:09 remaining.
Hannah McGlone would convert a layup and tie things up for a final time at 58 to send the game into overtime.
The overtime scoring began with McGlone knocking down two free throws, the Dragons answered a with a three-pointer to take the lead by one. They would extend that lead to four points by the end of the overtime period for a 70-66 finish.
The Warriors shot 41 percent from the field and made six of 14 three-pointers. Making 10 of 15 free throws, they shot 67 percent from the line. Moorhead shot 45 percent from the field and made just four of 22 from three-point range. MSU-Moorhead made eight of 10 free throws.
Kayla Timmerman led the Warriors in scoring with 19 points.
Hannah McGlone scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for her 6th double-double of the season.
Tara Roelofs added 11 points.
The Warriors are back in action Saturday afternoon as they take on Northern State (16-5, 12-5 NSIC) for a 4 p.m. tip off.
