BETHANY, Okla. – Minnesota State University Moorhead (1-0) defeated Harding (0-1), 84-78 on Friday afternoon, in its 2016-17 regular season opener. MSUM was led to victory by 24 points from senior guard
Jon Doss and a 3-point barrage from a host of Dragons.
How it happened…
The Dragons closed out the first half on a 10-3 run over a three-minute span and ended the half up 43-32 thanks in part to six three-pointers. Four players had seven points or more in the first half, led by junior guard
Tanner Kretchman and Doss with 10 apiece. The Dragons outscored the Bison in the paint 16-8 and held Harding to 10-of-33 from the field (30.3 percent) in the first half.
Harding came out of halftime on a roll, opening up the final 20 minutes with a 9-0 run tying the game at 43-43. The Bison kept shooting eventually building up a 60-53 lead with just over eight minutes remaining in the final half. MSUM answered by making 6-of-7 from beyond the arc over the next four minutes, now leading 71-64. Harding brought the game to a two-point deficit with 1:11 on the clock. A quick three by senior forward
Ayob Ayob put the game out of reach, on the way to an 84-78 victory. The Dragons went 9-of-19 (47.4 percent) from beyond the arc in the second half. Doss finished the half with 14, while Ayob added 12.
MSUM ended the game with 17 assists to just 10 turnovers. Harding had the edge in rebounds 36-33. The Dragons finished the game shooting 26-of-56 from the field (46.4 percent), holding Harding to 26-of-66 from the field (39.4 percent).
Impact Performances…
Doss led the way offensively with a game-high 24 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including an impressive 6-of-8 from three-point land (75.0 percent). Doss went 4-for-4 from the free throw line, totaled a team-high nine rebounds, dished out two assists and had one steal. This was the first regular season game for the MSUM newcomer.
Ayob added 19 points of his own off 7-of-15 shooting, to go along with five three-pointers. He also had two boards, two assists and a steal. Ayob's three blocks set a career-high.
Kretchman finished the game with 15 points, including 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. Last year's national leader in assist-to-turnover ratio, Kretchman finished the evening with eight assists to just two turnovers (4.00 assist-to-turnover ratio). Kretchman hit a huge step-back jumper from the free throw line with 1:24 remaining helping ensure the Dragons victory.
Senior guard
Aaron Lien shot 4-of-8 from the field (.500 percent) with two three-pointers and 4-for-6 at the free throw line. Lien registered 31 minutes of playing time.
Dragon Quick Hit
With the season opener win, MSUM is now 6-1 in season openers under the direction of head coach
Chad Walthall.
Up Next
MSUM takes on the Crowne Plaza Classis host Southern Nazarene on Saturday (Nov. 12). Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m.
