BEMIDJI, Minn. – Minnesota State University Moorhead (9-1, 5-0 NSIC) found itself down at halftime for the second straight night, but once again found a way to secure the win at Bemidji State (3-6, 1-3 NSIC), 90-84. Senior forward Ayob Ayob scored a game-high 22 points for MSUM.
 
How it happened…
In a first half that saw six ties and five lead changes it was MSUM who grabbed the first points of the game thanks in part to Ayob's three-pointer. The Dragons maintained a two point lead at the first media timeout. The Beavers used a 7-2 run tying the game at 18-18 with 10:07 left in the half, and went into halftime up 44-37. Ayob had a team-high 15 points in the first half, making 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. MSUM shot 36.4 percent (12-of-33) from the field in the first half, while Bemidji State shot 50.0 percent (15-of-30) from the field.
 
In the second half, Bemidji State pushed its lead to 10 points before MSUM used a 31-10 run over a nine minute period holding the lead 73-62 with 8:23 left in the game. The Beavers cut the lead to three points with under a minute left. Free throws from junior guard Tanner Kretchman and senior guard Jon Doss secured the win for MSUM to remain unbeaten in NSIC Play. MSUM shot 66.7 percent from the field in the second half.
 
Bemidji State held the advantage on the glass 39-31. MSUM finished the contest with 14 assists to seven turnovers. The Dragons bench outscored the Beavers 28-20.
 
Impact Performances…
Senior forward Ayob Ayob recorded a game-high 22 points off 8-of-15 shooting. Ayob was 4-of-6 from three-point range with six rebounds, three steals and a block.
 
Junior guard Tanner Kretchman finished with 18 points, to go along with eight assists to two turnovers. Kretchman was 4-of-5 from the charity stripe and had a team-high seven rebounds.
 
Senior guard Jon Doss added 18 points for MSUM, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Doss hauled in five rebounds.
 
MSUM's leading scorer off the bench was redshirt freshman forward Matt Anderson. Anderson scored 17 points, and was 9-of-11 from the free throw line.
 
Steve D'eustachio Stat of the Game…
The Dragons have now beaten Bemidji State five consecutive times, and now have at least a two-game winning streak over all other seven teams in the NSIC North (10-Minot State, 9-Minnesota Crookston, 6-St. Cloud State, 5-Northern State, 5-Bemidji State, 3-UM Duluth, 2-U-Mary).
 
Up next…
MSUM hosts two home games before Christmas break. The Dragons will take on Northern State on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m., and non-conference opponent Mayville State on Monday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.