Box Score MARYVILLE, MO. – On the opening night of the season, a balanced offensive attack helped the Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team capture its first win of the season over Northwest Missouri State. The 75-66 victory came on the first day of the two-day Northwest Missouri State Classic in Maryville, Mo.
The Dragons shot convincingly better than the Bearcats from the field, draining 47.3% from the floor compared to 31.4%. MSUM also out-rebounded Northwest Missouri State 47-35, including a 37-22 edge on defensive rebounds.
MSUM had four players score in double digits in the game, led by junior
Ngijol Songolo and sophomore
Aaron Lien, who each had 14 points. Junior
Isaac Sevlie added 11 points while senior
Jordan Riewer posted 10 points. Lien led the Dragons with eight rebounds, while Riewer led the team in assists with eight. Sevlie had five blocks to lead the Dragons.
The Dragons scored on back-to-back baskets to open the scoring in the game, first on a layup from Riewer followed by a jumper from Lien.
MSUM trailed 23-21 with 2:28 left in the first half before the Dragons scored the final five points of the half. Sevlie began the run on a layup with an assist from junior
Tyler Vaughan. A layup and a free throw from Lien gave the lead back to MSUM at 26-23 heading into halftime. The Dragons executed down low in the first half, gaining a 18-10 edge on points in the paint.
Senior
Urbane Bingham hit a three-pointer at the 15:21 mark of the second half to push the Dragons lead to 37-30. The Bearcats clawed back and tied the score three more times before a free throw from senior
Prescott Williams gave the Dragons the lead for good at 52-51 with 7:08 left in the game.
A 12-4 run opened up the game for MSUM, as they led 63-55 after a three-pointer from Lien at the 3:43 mark. The Dragons converted 9-of-10 free throws in the final two minutes of the game to secure the victory at 75-66.
MSUM will play in Maryville, Mo. again tomorrow afternoon against Fort Hays State. Game tip is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
