MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State University Moorhead (6-1, 2-0 NSIC) grabbed an early lead and never looked back on the way to an 82-66 win over the University of Mary (2-5, 1-1 NSIC). Senior guard Aaron Lien led the Dragons with 18 points.
 
How it happened…
The Dragons jumped out to a 14-4 lead at the first media timeout thanks in part to five points from junior guard Tanner Kretchman. An 8-2 run from the Marauders out of the timeout pulled the game to four points just under halfway through the first half. Senior guard Jon Doss hit a quick three out of the media timeout followed by a barrage of layups from Lien gave the Dragons a comfortable 12 point lead at halftime, 38-26. The Dragons shot 48.6 percent (17-of-35) from the field in the first half, while holding Mary to just 30.6 percent (11-of-36) from the field. Lien finished the first half with a team-high 13 points and four rebounds.

 
The Marauders hit a three-point shot out of the intermission pulling the game back within single digits, but Lien answered with a three of his own to push the lead back to double figures. Mary couldn't get the game in single figures for the rest of the game as MSUM rolled to an 82-66 victory, maintaining a perfect record in the NSIC (2-0). The Dragons utilized eight different scorers in the second half, with MSUM registering 21 points from the bench.
 
MSUM had the final edge on the glass (40-36), and finished the contest with 15 assists to 11 turnovers. The Dragons finished the game 34-of-62 from the field (54.8 percent).
 
Impact Performances…
Senior guard Aaron Lien had a team-high 18 points off 7-of-10 from the field, including 1-of-1 from beyond the arc and a perfect 3-for-3 on free throw attempts. This is the second straight game that Lien registered a team-high in points.
 
Redshirt freshman forward Matt Anderson finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. He shot 7-of-10 from the field, with one assist and one block.
 
Senior forward Ayob Ayob had a quiet first half, but finished with 14 points including 2-of-3 from three-point range.
 
Junior guard Tanner Kretchman continues to impress at the point position, dishing out 10 assists whilst not committing a single turnover. Kretchman recorded the first double-double of the year for the Dragons with 12 points and 10 assists.
 
Steve D'eustachio Stat of the Game…
The Dragons have now won 16 of their last 17 home games versus opponents from the NSIC North. The only loss they suffered during this stretch that dates back to Feb. 2014 was last season's 77-73 loss to the University of Mary on Jan. 8.
 
Up next…
MSUM continues its first home stand with another NSIC matchup with Minot State on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.