MSU Moorhead jumped out to a 16-6 first quarter lead, then held off several Wildcat rallies, to defeat Wayne State College 55-46 in Northern Sun Conference women's basketball Friday evening at Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead, Minnesota.  WSC falls to 5-17 and 2-17 in the league while MSUM is 10-14 and 10-9 in NSIC games.
            Wayne freshman Brooklyn Kruse scored the first basket of the game giving the 'Cats a 2-0 lead at the 8:23 mark of the opening quarter.  MSU Moorhead held the 'Cats without a point for the next 6:10, scoring 11 straight points, before WSC scored again on a Tate Norblade basket to end the scoring drought.
            MSU Moorhead ended the opening quarter with a 16-6 lead thanks to 58 percent (7-12) shooting while the Wildcats connected on 3 of 12 shots for 25 percent.
            The 'Cats trailed by 13 several times early in the second quarter, but scored seven straight points and closed within 24-18 with just over two minutes left in the quarter after a Britney Ho layup.  The Dragons ended the half holding a 30-21 lead.
            The host Dragons made the opening basket of the second half for a 32-21 lead and was still in front 38-29 when Wayne State made the first of two rallies in the second half.  Back-to-back Tate Norblade 3-pointers cut the Dragon lead to 38-35 with 3:10 to go in the third quarter before MSUM closed the quarter with a 41-35 lead.
            MSU Moorhead maintained the lead in the fourth quarter and was ahead 49-39 with just over five minutes to play.  A Maya Fitzpatrick layup and a 3-pointer by Kruse reduced the Dragon advantage to five at 49-44 with 4:07 remaining.  But MSU Moorhead held WSC to just two points down the stretch and made free throws to clinch the 55-46 victory.
            Britney Ho had 12 points to lead Wayne State in scoring.  Kruse and Fitzpatrick each added nine points while Norblade finished with eight points, seven rebounds and six assists.
            Wayne State was 19 of 57 from the field for 33.3 percent.  The 'Cats were 5 of 16 from the 3-point line and 3 of 3 at the free throw line.
            Natalie Jens scored a game-high 22 points to lead MSU Moorhead.  Terryn Johnson added nine points and 10 rebounds.
            The Dragons shot 39.6 percent from the field making 21 of 53 shots.  MSUM was 2 of 15 behind the arc and 11 for 16 at the stripe.
            MSUM held a 43-29 advantage in rebounding over WSC.  Norblade led the 'Cats with seven rebounds and a career-high six assists. 
            The Wildcats play again Saturday afternoon at Minnesota Crookston in a 3:30 p.m. contest.