Marisa Yernatich drives against Minot State on Saturday.

A weekend split for the women’s basketball team has the team hosting their first home postseason game in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action in four years.

The Dragons lost to University of Mary on Friday night 79-81 in conference play.

“It was disappointing because we didn’t do the things we needed to defensively,” head coach Karla Nelson said.

Rebounding from a tough loss on Friday, the team set out to win the final regular home game against Minot State University and won 74-61.

“We did a fairly good job (against Minot State), and we moved the ball well,” Nelson said.

Saturday was the final regular season game for senior guards Marisa Yernatich and Kaycee Charette and both finished with double digits in the win.

“They’ve (Charette and Yernatich) invested a lot of time, loyalty, dedication and commitment to the program,” Nelson said.

Nelson said Charette always looks to make the players around her better and Yernatich has left her name in the history books as she became the all-time leader in three-pointers.

“We really want to leave a good legacy,” Marisa Yernatich said.

The two will look to create memories when the team hosts Sioux Falls on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the first round of the NSIC tournament.

“We want to play as a team and get the win,” Kaycee Charette said.

Nelson said the team will have to defend well against Sioux Falls and to continue to play with good energy which she credits the team with doing since Christmas break.

“It’s single elimination so we just have to keep winning, I don’t care how it looks,” she said.

“Hopefully students come out (on Wednesday) and create a great atmosphere,” Nelson said.

With at least one more game in their careers, both Charette and Yernatich are looking to finish strong.

“We want to leave everything on the court,” Yernatich said.

BY BREANN LENZMEIER
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PHOTOS BY JESSICA FLEMING
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