MOORHEAD, Minn. - The 2009-10 Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons men's basketball team opened their season with a win on Sunday over the University of Mary (N.D.) Marauders in a non-conference game played at Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse, 74-67.

The Dragons took the all-time series lead with the seventh win in program history over Mary. It was the 13th time the two teams had seen each other action.

Dennis Williamson led the Dragons scoring two quick baskets to take an early 4-0 lead that was not relinquished the rest of the game. Williamson led the team with 18 points in 23 minutes played.

The Dragons took a 27-16 lead with just under eight minutes left in the first half on a three pointer by Jake Driscoll. It was MSUM's largest lead in the first half until six second left before intermission when Driscoll hit a layup to go up by 12 that held until the buzzer, 36-24.

MSUM's largest lead came at 10:25 in the second half when Williamson hit a jumper in the paint to put the Dragons up 55-39.

The Marauders went on a 15-3 run that led to the 5:53 mark to pull within four of the Dragons. The run was started on back-to-back three pointers by Mark Bakkum and Anthony Moody.

After Mary pulled to within four MSUM's Brent Egan grabbed an offensive board and tipped the ball back in the hoop that started a 10-2 run for the Red and White. Senior Jerome Nelson followed Egan's shot with a three-pointer, while Alex Novak and Driscoll each hit jumpers in the next two Dragons possessions.

UM's Moody led the field with 23 points and eight boards. Novak pulled down 11 rebounds to grab the most boards in the game in his rookie debut. He also had six points. Driscoll ended the game with 15 points while Nelson had 13.

The Dragons will travel to St. Cloud, Minn. this coming weekend to face-off against Michigan Tech and St. John's (Minn.). The games will be played at Halenbeck Hall on St. Cloud State's campus.