Last second shot down Huskies in 65-61 loss to Dragons

Friday, February 15

Moorhead, MN

5:30 p.m.

St. Cloud State

14-9, 11-8NSIC

Minnesota State University Moorhead

20-5, 16-3NSIC

St. Cloud State

MSU Moorhead

Nikki Kilboten scored a career-high 20 points in the Huskies loss to MSU-Moorhead Friday.

Photo by: Kylie Macziewski

2/15/2019 8:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MOORHEAD, MINN. – The St. Cloud State University women's basketball could not have asked for a better game plan. For the second time this season, the Huskies hung with the top team in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) North Division, Minnesota State University-Moorhead, and nearly took down the conference's perennial power. Sadly, St. Cloud State ran out of time against its northern opponent, falling to MSU-Moorhead by a final score of 65-61.

It was a defensive battle from the start between the Huskies and Dragons, as the two teams scored just 56 total points in the opening half of play. In a back and forth first quarter, MSU-Moorhead took a 15-14 lead and jumped ahead 29-27 at the end of the second. Still, St. Cloud State certainly wasn't out for the count, as Nikki Kilboten (Eau Claire, Wis. / North) propelled the Huskies offensive performances in the third quarter. The sophomore forward scored six points in the third quarter, helping St. Cloud State even the score at 43-43 with 10 minutes remaining in the game.

As per usual, the fourth quarter proved to be the most exciting between the Huskies and Dragons as the back and forth play continued through the final 10 minutes of regulation. For every basket MSU-Moorhead scored, St. Cloud State had an answer, always staying within a baskets distance of the host team.

Eventually, the Huskies were able to take a lead of their own. Kilboten converted on a layup and one, giving St. Cloud State its first lead of the quarter 46-43. MSU-Moorhead did tie the game at 46-46, but the Huskies offense had been ignited, as they scored four consecutive points to take a 50-46 lead over the Dragons. Kilboten and Madelin Damman (Waconia, Minn. / Waconia) accounted for all St. Cloud State's baskets before MSU-Moorhead managed to score one of their own.

The Huskies took their largest lead of the game at 53-48 when Dammann hit a key three from the top of the arc. However, St. Cloud State never could escape the Dragons, as they too hit a three to cut the lead to 53-52. Still, the Huskies answered accordingly with a three by Erin Navratil (Albany, Minn. / Albany) and a layup from Tori Wortz (Hutchinson, Minn. / Hutchinson) maintaining a 60-57 lead with under two minutes remaining in regulation.

Sadly, MSU-Moorhead's defense would hold St. Cloud State quiet in the final 1:45 of play, as the Huskies managed to score just one point compared to the Dragons eight. With 56 seconds remaining in regulation, though, St. Cloud State maintained its 61-59 advantage and looked like it would have the chance to take the lead in the final seconds. A team turnover and a last-second three by Megan Hintz would prove to be the Huskies doom, as they fell by a final score of 65-61.

Kilboten would register a new career-high in points in the loss, as she tallied 20 points with six boards Friday evening. Dammann added 13 points and five rebounds, while Mallie Doucette (Colfax, Wis. / Colfax) tallied 10 points.

With the loss, St. Cloud State's overall record falls to 14-9 and the team is 11-8 in NSIC play. The Huskies will return to action on Saturday, February 16 when they take on Northern State at 3:30 p.m. in Aberdeen, South Dakota.