Box Score Moorhead, Minn. – The MSUM Dragon men's basketball moved to a perfect 7-0 record after tonight's 64-61 win over the University of Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagles (5-3) at Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse.
 
In a tightly contested game that saw multiple lead changes, it was Andrew VanHavermaet's game-winning three-pointer with 1:05 remaining in regulation that brought the fans to their feet. Alex Novak came free off a screen to receive the Charlie Chapman pass. As he drove the lane, VanHavermaet's defender cheated over to help stop the drive. Novak found VanHavermaet open in the bottom corner.
 
“If we're all unselfish, it's tough for other teams to key in on one player,” Novak said, whose 12 point, 10 rebound effort earned him the Papa John's Player of the Game. With what is now becoming a signature move for Novak, three times this game he was able to free himself underneath the basket for a thunderous two-handed dunk.
 
The Golden Eagles played much of the game in an extended 2-3 defense, double-teaming every Dragon who was behind the three-point line. This made it difficult for MSUM's three-point shooters to find a rhythm, forcing MSUM to take shots well behind the three-point line. Guard Jordan Riewer showed his impressive range early in the second half, as he made a three-pointer eight feet behind the line.
 
Arguably the biggest three-point basket of the first half came as time expired. DJ Hamilton stole the ball deep in the Dragons' end, found an open spot in the left corner, and tied the game 33-33.
 
The Golden Eagles fought hard the entire competition, led by guard Akeem Cubie's 27 points. “Their guards post-up tough, and we weren't used to that,” Novak said, reflecting upon Cubie's strong second-half showing. Cubie scored 8 of UMC's 10 points to start the second half; however, just after VanHavermaet hit his game-winning three pointer, play had to be stopped so Cubie could be helped off the court as he clutched his shoulder. Cubie finished the game 11-for-14 from the field, 2-for-2 from three, and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.
 
“We learned a lot about our team tonight,” Assistant Coach Dan Weisse commented after the game. “We weren't perfect tonight, but when the going got tough, we were able to do what it took to win.”
 
MSUM finished the game 26-for-53, 49.1%, from the field, 8-for-21, 38.1%, from three, and 4-for-6, 66.7%, from the free-throw line. The Dragons were led in scoring by Jake Lindfors with 20, followed by Chapman with 13.
 
UMC shot 25-for-52, 48.1%, from the field, 3-for-7, 42.9%, from three, and 8-for-12 from the free throw line.
 
The Dragons will travel to Wayne, Nebraska, on December 17 to play the Wayne State College Wildcats at 8:00 pm.
 
Steve D'Eustachio's Stat of the Game: The last time the Dragons began the season with seven consecutive victories was during the 2002-2003 season. That team's first loss came on December 14, 2002, against North Dakota State University.