WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University offense went cold in the fourth quarter as the NSIC North-leading Minnesota State Moorhead Dragons prevailed in a low-scoring affair Friday night inside McCown Gymnasium, 64-51.
The Warriors played neck-and-neck with the Dragons for the first three quarters until being held to just two field goals in the final frame as Moorhead pulled away late for its ninth straight win. The largest lead by either side over the first three periods was a mere six points.
The Dragons improve to 11-2 (7-0 NSIC) while WSU falls to 6-5 (4-3 NSIC).
Kayla Schaefer jump-started the Warrior offense in the first quarter, tallying 10 of WSU's 14 points in the opening frame. Moorhead was unable to stop her patented jumper at the top of the key as the senior went on to collect 20 points on the night.
The Dragons controlled the scoreboard for most of the first quarter as both teams jousted to control the game from the opening tip. Down two late in the first period, Allie Pickrain evened the score at 14 with a jumper, and after a few missed opportunities, Emily Kieck came away with a steal at the buzzer that shifted the momentum for the home team.
Early in the second, Winona State built a four-point edge on two sets of free throws by Rachel Novotny and Kieck. The Dragons quickly answered back with a basket of their own before Pickrain found Schaefer at the top of the key to push the Warrior lead back to four. After a few failed possessions by Moorhead, Kieck traveled coast-to-coast for the lay-in to give the Warriors their largest lead of the night, 22-16, with 7:34 left in the second quarter.
The Dragons responded with a 14-2 run to claim a six-point lead of their own with 3:34 left in the opening half as the back-and-forth battle ensued into and after the break.
Julia Silloway scored her first points of the tilt in the final seconds of the third quarter on a go-ahead three-pointer to send the Warriors into the final frame with a brief 45-44 advantage.
In the final frame, WSU was able to match MSU Moorhead twice early on before the Dragons began to pull away and distance themselves from the Warriors, handing Winona State the loss.
One key to the Warriors sticking with the Dragons was their ability to execute the zone defense and force 11 turnovers. Consequently, Winona State lost the rebounding battle as Moorhead dominated the offensive boards and cashed in 15 second-chance points. WSU struggled from downtown in the setback, shooting just 3-16.
Schaefer led Winona State in the scoring column while Novotny racked up 15 points and nine rebounds. Kieck showed off her stealth vision and quick hands by nabbing three steals and dishing out four assists.
Winona State concludes its weekend homestand Saturday afternoon with a 3:30 p.m. tipoff against Northern State University.
