MOORHEAD, Minn. – The No. 10 Minnesota State University Moorhead men built a commanding 45-18 halftime lead on their way to a 78-55 victory over University of Sioux Falls in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball play Friday night at Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead, Minn.
The Dragons are now 18-2 on the season and 10-1 in conference play. The Cougars are 10-7 overall and 5-6 in the NSIC.
MSUM was led by senior center
Isaac Sevlie's 20 points and seven rebounds while junior guard
Aaron Lien added 12 points, five rebounds and two assists. Sophomore guard
Tanner Kretchman and junior forward
Ayob Ayob had 11 points apiece.
The Dragons shot 47.8 percent (22-of-46) for the game while holding the Cougars to 34.5 percent shooting (19-of-55).
The Dragons went on a 14-2 run to start the game, sparked by three-pointers from both Kretchman and Lien. Two free throws from freshman center
Addison Park, who had five points on the evening, gave the Dragons a 35-15 lead with 5:53 left in the first half. A three-point buzzer beater from Kretchman gave the Dragons a 45-18 lead going into the half.
The Dragons took a 30-point lead with 16 minutes remaining in the second half when senior guard
Ngijol Songolo grabbed the steal and got fouled at the other end bringing the score to 54-24. Back-to-back threes from senior guard
Evan Holt lifted the Dragons to a 73-43 lead with 5:52 remaining in the game. Holt had six points on the evening.
Senior guard
Ryan Benoy, who has battled through injuries since joining the Dragon program in 2012, played in his first MSUM game and had an assist and a steal in nine minutes of play.
MSUM is back in action tomorrow afternoon with a match against Southwest Minnesota State University. The game is slated to begin at 6 p.m. at Nemzek Fieldhouse.
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: Tonight marks the five year anniversary of the Dragons' 95-87 win at Winona St. It was the first road win over a team that finished above .500 (20-10) for first year head coach
Chad Walthall. Charlie Chapman led five Dragons in double figures with 22 points and Alex Novak scored 18 and pulled down a career high 21 rebounds in the victory.
