(Avery Nelson/MSUM)
BEMIDJI, Minn.(MSUM Athletics) – For the sixth time in seven years, MSU Moorhead captured the Century Trophy in a 68-60 overtime win against Bemidji State. Mariah McKeever scored a season-high 26 points in the win.
Offensively, both teams struggled in the first 10 minutes of play with MSUM shooting just 23.1 percent from the floor in the first seven minutes. An Allisa Knight offensive rebound and putback would put the Dragons in front 8-3 early. By quarter’s end, the Dragons held a 10-7 advantage over the Beavers. Knight led MSUM with four points.
Points would continue to be hard to come by in the second quarter as MSUM would be held scoreless for over four minutes in the quarter. On the other end, the Dragon defense held the Beavers without a basket for nearly three minutes. A Bailey Keske lay-up would snap MSUM’s scoreless streak to put them up six points with under four minutes left in the half. Bemidji State would end the half on a 7-0 run to knot the game at 20 points apiece at halftime. Natalie Jens led MSUM with seven first-half points.
The two teams would remain tied midway through the third quarter. MSUM would shoot 47.1 percent from the floor in the frame to Bemidji State’s 46.7 percent. Down one point with the seconds ticking away, Mariah McKeever does what she seemingly does best, net a buzzer beating three-pointer. McKeever’s basket put the Dragons in front 39-37 after three quarters.
McKeever would carry that momentum into the final frame, scoring eight of MSUM’s first 13 points in the final 10 minutes. The junior netted a mid-range jumper with just under two minutes remaining to give the Dragons a three-point lead.
After MSUM made four free throws to remain in front by three, Bemidji State would knot the game at 56 points apiece with 12 seconds remaining with a massive three-point make of their own. The Dragons would be unable to make the winning basket in regulation as the game headed to overtime.
Olivia Skibiel would help create some separation for the Dragons in overtime, casting a three that found paydirt. The shot put MSUM up by five points with just over two minutes to play in overtime. McKeever would grab a huge offensive rebound and put it back in for two to put the Dragons up 66-58 with under a minute left in overtime.
MSUM would hang onto that lead thanks to clutch free throw shooting from McKeever and Skibiel. The Dragons would go on to win 68-60 behind a season-high 26 points from McKeever. MSUM outrebounded Bemidji State 50-36.
The win is Karla Nelson‘s 398th career win.
Top Dragons
- Mariah McKeever: 26 points, eight rebounds, two steals
- Natalie Jens: 13 points, seven rebounds
- Olivia Skibiel: Nine points, five rebounds
Up Next
The Dragons (13-11, 10-10 NSIC) will play Minot State at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night before heading home to finish the regular season against UMary on Saturday.
Game Recap: Women’s Basketball | 2/11/2023 7:37:00 PM | Nolan Schmidt
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