Box Score
MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Senior Anthony Tucker poured in 30 points, but the MInnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team lost an overtime heartbreaker to Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday night, falling 86-82 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action at Alex Nemzek Hall in Moorhead, Minn.

MSUM fell to 14-4 overall and 8-4 in the NSIC with the loss, while SMSU improved to 10-9 overall and 7-5 in the conference.

Tucker finished 11-of-16 from the field, including 5-of-9 from three-point range. He also had two assists.  Freshman Ben Figini added a career-high 14 points for the Dragons,  while senior Alex Novak had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.  He also led with four assists. Sophomore Jordan Riewer had 12 points and three assists as well.

The two teams combined to have nine players in double figures in the thriller, which featured 10 ties and 11 lead changes.

The Dragons trailed 74-71 in the final seconds before freshman Tyler Vaughan drained a 30-foot three-pointer to tie the game with six seconds left in regulation. SMSU's last second shot wouldn't fall, and the game went to overtime.

In the extra frame, Novak hit 1-of-2 free throws to put MSUM up 75-74 at the 4:28 mark, but the Mustangs scored six straight points to take an 80-75 lead.  The Dragons got within two twice -- including at 84-82 after a Tucker layup -- but two free throws by Tramel Barnes helped the Mustangs ice the win at 86-82.

MSUM trailed 25-22 with 7:38 left in the first half but ended the opening frame by outscoring the Mustangs 17-6 to take a 39-31 lead into halftime.  The late surge was sparked by seven points from Tucker, including a three with 37 seconds left to give the Dragons their biggest lead, and six points from Novak.

The Mustangs opened the second half on an 14-4 run to take a 45-43 lead with 14:56. Over the final 22 minutes, including regulation and overtime, neither team had a lead bigger than five points.

MSUM shot 49.2 percent for the game (30-of-61), compared to 50 percent (35-of-70) for the Mustangs. MSUM had a 41-31 edge in rebounds, but also committed 14 turnovers, compared to five for SMSU.

The Dragons are back in action on Jan. 25 at Bemidji State.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: The Dragon's had won 11 regular season games in a row when Alex Novak had a double-double until tonight's overtime loss, dating back to their 83-65 loss at Wayne State on Feb. 26, 2011. Novak had 12 points and 12 rebounds that night in the losing effort.