MARYVILLE, Mo. – Minnesota State University Moorhead battled back from a second-half deficit, but fell in overtime in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament to East Central (25-7), 115-106. Junior guard Tanner Kretchman led the Dragons in scoring with 35 points.
 
MSUM finished the season with an overall record of 24-6.
 
How it happened…
Junior guard Tanner Kretchman got the scoring started with a deep three, sparking a barrage of three pointers from both teams. The Dragons used 4-of-6 from deep building a 16-7 lead at the first media timeout. 
 
Braxton Reeves of East Central hit three quick threes in succession pulling the Dragons lead to 24-21 just under halfway through the first twenty minutes.
 
The Dragons traded baskets with the Tigers throughout the rest of the half, with MSUM using a three-point play from sophomore Addison Park to go into halftime leading, 43-41.
 
MSUM shot 50 percent from the field in the first half, while winning the battle of the boards 20-16.
 
The second half saw the score tied five times throughout the first eight minutes of play. East Central then used a 13-2 run leading 74-63 with 9:08 remaining.  MSUM responded with a 13-5 run, pulling the Dragons within one, 81-80.
 
East Central maintained a four point lead with two minutes left, back-to-back layups from Kretchman tied the game with 52 seconds left. The Dragons had the last possession with the game tied, but Kretchman couldn't get a floater to fall sending the game to overtime.
 
East Central hit its first four shots in overtime, including two three-pointers, building a 102-95 lead. The Dragons tried to claw back in it, but the Tigers shot 8-for-9 from the field, winning 115-106.
 
Impact Performances…
Junior guard Tanner Kretchman finished with 35 points, going 12-for-26 from the field including 7-of-15 from beyond the arc. Kretchman added seven assists and three rebounds.
 
Senior guard Aaron Lien added 18 points for the Dragons off 6-of-17 from the field. Lien recorded a career-high 14 rebounds to go along with two assists and two blocks.
 
Senior forward Ayob Ayob scored 12 points, collected four rebounds and two assists.
 
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game…
Today's loss marked the only two game losing streak this season and the first since Augustana beat the Dragons for the NSIC tournament championship and Minn. St. Mankato eliminated the Dragons in the first round of the NCAA tournament last year.