Northern State used a strong finish to polish off another foe Thursday night.
The Wolves improved to 6-2 on the season following a 60-44 win over Minnesota State Moorhead in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference women’s basketball at Wachs Arena giving coach Paula Krueger her 200th career victory.
Northern was clinging to a 37-36 lead with less than two minutes left in the third quarter before taking control. The Wolves scored 11 straight points en route to a 17-2 surge and the game was over.
Madelyn Bragg scored eight points during the pivotal run to highlight another huge game. Three nights after scoring a career-high 28 points, the sophomore followed that up with a 22-point effort to power the victory over the Dragons.
“Madi’s got everything that it takes to be an unbelievable basketball player and it starts with a little bit confidence,” Krueger said. “She’s put the time in.”
This past off season, Bragg made a decision to be more involved in the team’s offense and the results are showing.
“This year I went into Coach K before and I just said that I wanted my role to change a little bit,” Bragg said, “because last year of course, Laurie (Rogers) and Kailee (Oliverson) were so talented, so I did what I could with the time that I was given. But this year I went in and made an emphasis that I wanted to be less of a role player and more of a leader.”
Bragg is backing up that talk with her play. The Dragons simply had no answer for the 6-foot-3 center. The former Roncalli standout either scored inside, dished it outside when she drew multiple defenders or simply went outside and made baskets herself.
“To the credit of her teammates, they’re throwing her the ball,’ Krueger said. “Posts can’t do it on their own. They need somebody to give them the basketball.”
That said, the Wolves are learning that good things happen when Bragg touches the basketball.
“She garnered the respect that we knew she would,” Krueger said, “and in the long run it’s going to make it easier for the perimeters, and in turn it’s going to make it easier for her on the inside.”
Bragg made 9 of her 16 field-goal attempts, hauled down seven rebounds and blocked four shots in the contest. She scored 8 of her team’s first 12 points when the team struggled to hit shots from the perimeter.
“I’m really proud of how they’re all playing together,” Krueger said, “but especially proud of how Madi is handling being the ‘go-to’ and the fact that there are three and four people guarding her a lot of the time.”
While the Wolves did make a pair of three-point field goals during their game-changing surge, they were more willing to drive to the hoop in the second half after shooting just 2 of 16 from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes.
“In the locker room we talked about that. I never told anybody not to shoot. We didn’t talk about that,” Krueger said. “We said just kick it in, get it back, and be in an attack mentality, because they’re going to close out. If they close out short then step in and shoot a 15-footer. If you have an open look at a three on a ball reversal or an extra pass, knock it down, but you’re going to have chances to get to the rim.”
Alayna Benike added 15 points to the Northern total, while Brynn Alfson collected a game-high 11 rebounds. The Wolves owned a 49-35 advantage in rebounds, including 15 offensive boards.
The Wolves have a week-long break after beginning the season with eight games in 20 days. It has a been a solid start to the year, including a pair of NSIC wins.
“I’m excited that we’re starting off this well,” Bragg said, “and hopefully we can keep the ball rolling and the momentum stays high.”
Northern hosts St. Cloud State and Bemidji State next weekend.
To see a complete box score, click on the following link:
https://nsuwolves.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2023-24/msu-moorhead/boxscore/13341
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