MARQUETTE, Mich. – Minnesota State University Moorhead (2-1) defeated Northern Michigan University (1-2) 104-68 in a non-conference road matchup on Friday (Nov. 18) evening. Senior guard Ayob Ayob led all Dragons with 24 points.

How it happened…
The Dragons grabbed an early 13-4 lead in the first half thanks to some hot shooting. MSUM used the early momentum building a 10 point lead with 9:08 left in the first half, 31-21. The shooting didn't slow down for the Dragons as they utilized great passing to turn good shot attempts into great ones, building an eventual 26-point lead at halftime, 61-35. MSUM shot 22-of-37 from the field (59.5 percent), and 12-of-19 from beyond the arc (63.2 percent). Senior guard Jon Doss had a team-high 18 points in the first half off 6-of-9 from the field, three assists and three rebounds. Senior guard Aaron Lien added 16 points shooting 70.0 percent from the field (7-of-10), three assists and two rebounds. Junior guard Tanner Kretchman generated eight points of his own, with three assists and no turnovers.

Out of the halftime break NMU used a small run to cut the deficit to 17, but couldn't get any closer. Disciplined defense helped MSUM extend the lead to 30 with just over two minutes remaining, 99-66. MSUM ended the game with final score of 104-68. Three Dragons tied with a second half team-high seven points; Doss, Lien and freshman guard Johnny Beeninga. MSUM shot 18-of-39 from the field in the second half.

MSUM dominated the glass out rebounding NMU 50-28. The Dragons finished the game with 16 assists to just seven turnovers.

Impact performances…
Ayob Ayob recorded a career-high and a team-high with 24 points. He shot 9-of-15 from the field, gathering five rebounds and four assists.

Aaron Lien finished the campaign with 23 points off 10-16 from the field. Lien took advantage of the zone defense from NMU making shot after shot from the free throw line.

Tanner Kretchman added 11 points for the Dragons, and continued his great play at the point position. Kretchman accounted for four assists and no turnovers. Kretchman now has 21 assists to just two turnovers on the season.

Johnny Beeninga had a career-night scoring 10 points. The freshman had two assists to go along with two rebounds.

Redshirt-freshman Matt Anderson garnered  a team-high 10 rebounds for MSUM. Anderson had four points, two assists and a steal.

Freshman Evan Hines saw his first action in a Dragon uniform, coming off the bench and scoring a career-high nine points off 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.

Dragon Quick Hit
For the third straight game a Dragon has set a career-high in points. Evan Hines, Johnny Beeninga and Ayob Ayob registered career-highs tonight against Northern Michigan.

Up Next
MSUM concludes its road trip at Michigan Tech. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.