Box Score
MOORHEAD, Minn. - The Wayne State College Wildcats handed the Dragons a 64-50 loss this Saturday night in Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse. The Dragons' loss drops them to 18-8, 14-8 in the NSIC, while the Wildcats improve to 10-16, 9-13 in the conference.
The Dragons struggled to find any offensive momentum during the first half. The Wildcats started the game with a 9-2 run, Dragon guard DJ Hamilton had a shifty crossover dribble between multiple defenders, and converted the left handed layup. However, it was not until seven minutes later that they Dragons would score again, and not until just under five minutes remaining in the half did a pair of Andrew VanHavermaet free throws move MSUM into double-digits at 24-10.
The Dragons had 22 turnovers for the game, with 16 coming in the first half. The Wildcats capitalized on MSUM's miscues, with point guard Amry Shelby shooting 6-for-7 for the half, leading all players with 13 points, and finishing the game leading all scorers with 24 points. The Wildcats led by as many as 18 points during the first half, going into halftime with a 31-16 lead.
The Dragons scoring drought continued into the second half, as it took a little under five minutes for Alex Novak to hit a jumpshot to end a 7-0 Wildcat run. WSC led by as many as 23 during the second half until the Dragons began to chip away at the Wildcat lead.
MSUM went on an 18-4 scoring run, highlighted by Charlie Chapman powering up strong near the hoop to bank in the basket and draw the foul. He would convert the three-point play, and trim the Wildcats' lead to 50-41. The Dragons again would move within nine two plays later, as Novak threw down a drop-step dunk, but the Wildcats used every second of the shot clock during their possessions, holding off the Dragons for the win.
"We weren't making shots and they were," Assistant Coach Dan Weisse said on Steve d'Eustachio's post-game radio show. "They just flat out beat us."
The Dragons will now host Augustana College next Wednesday night, after losing to them last night to split the season series.
"We know what they are going to do, and they know what we're going to do," said Weisse. "So let's just play ball."
MSUM finished the game 17-for-41, 41.5%, from the field, 7-for-20, 35%, from three, and 9-for-15, 60%, from the free throw line. The Dragons were led in scoring by Hamilton (13), Novak (10), and Chapman (8).
WSC shot 25-for-42, 59.5%, from the field, 6-for-15, 40%, from three, and 8-for-10, 80%, from the free throw line. The Wildcats were led in scoring by Amry Shelby (24), Vontrell Seroyer (11), and Adol Aluong (10).
The Dragons will open NSIC tournament play next Wednesday at Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse against Augustana College. Tip off scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game: Seniors Charlie Chapman, Jake Driscoll, D.J. Hamilton, Andrew VanHavermaet, and Xavier Reed have appeared in 40 games together. As teammates, the Dragons are 25-15 (22-15 versus the NSIC and 3-0 versus non-conference opponents; 16-7 at home and 9-8 on the road). They have played against 16 different colleges and universities in 13 different arenas in five different states.
Weekend Preview Playoff Preview Weekend Game Notes
Weekend Sweep Costs Dragons Shot at Conference Title - Fargo Forum
Schnepf: MSUM Sees Men's Basketball Growth, but No NSIC Title - Fargo Forum
