MARYVILLE, MO. – Sophomore Aaron Lien set career highs in points and three-pointers to lead the Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team to an 83-71 victory over Fort Hays State on Saturday afternoon. Lien posted 26 points and six three-pointers.

With the win, the Dragons improve to 2-0 on the season after defeating Northwest Missouri State on Friday night.

MSUM continued its hot shooting start this season, edging the Tigers in shooting percentage from the field at 54.3% to 46.3% and from the behind the arc 50% to 40%. The Dragons hit 25 of 46 shots from the field and 11 of 22 three-pointers.

Lien led the team with 26 points while also snagging three rebounds. Three players had five rebounds in the game to lead the Dragons; senior Jordan Riewer, junior Ngijol Songolo, and sophomore Matt Nelson. Riewer had six assists in the victory to lead the team.

The Dragons jumped out to an 8-2 lead just four minutes into the game after Lien hit his first three-pointer of the day. At the 10:06 mark of the first half, MSUM increased its lead to 22-10 after a three-pointer from Songolo.

MSUM enjoyed its largest lead of the first half at 34-20 after Lien put away a layup, went to the free throw line, and completed a three-point play at the 5:06 mark.

The Tigers cut the Dragons' lead to less than 10 points just twice in the second half, once with 16:28 left in the game, and once with 10:14 left. Two free throws with 8:14 left in the game from senior Urbane Bingham gave the Dragons their largest lead of the game at 66-50.

The Dragons converted down the stretch for the second consecutive game, hitting seven-of-eight free throws in the final three minutes of the game to secure a 83-71 victory.

MSUM will be on the road again next weekend, traveling to Alaska to compete in the Alaska Invitational. The tournament will begin on Thursday, with the Dragons facing off against West Alabama at 8 p.m. MSUM will also face Black Hills State on Friday at 8 p.m. and Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday at 10 p.m