MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State University Moorhead (10-3, 5-2 NSIC) looked out of sorts after the holiday break as the Dragons dropped their first game back, 74-65, to Minnesota State Mankato (8-4, 3-3 NSIC). Senior guard
Aaron Lien scored a team-high 17 points for MSUM.
How it happened…
It was a slow offensive game for a Dragon squad that had been averaging 92.8 points per game, putting up a season low 26 points in the first half. Minnesota State opened the game on a 12-2 run over the first four minutes. MSUM used a 9-3 run to pull the game to 15-11, but entered halftime down, for just the fourth time this season, 39-26. Senior forward
Ayob Ayob had a team-high eight points in the first half. MSUM shot 9-of-31 (29.0 percent) from the field in the first half, while Minnesota State shot 16-of-35 (45.7 percent).
Entering the second half with the biggest deficit faced this season, MSUM battled back using a 24-10 run, down just 52-51. Junior guard
Tanner Kretchman had a go ahead three pointer rattle in and out. The Mavericks built a 14-point lead over the next five minutes of play, with the Dragons not being able to come any closer than six points. Minnesota State won by a final score of 74-65.
MSUM finished the contest 21-of-62 from the field (33.9 percent), while the visiting Mavericks finished 29-of-65 (44.6 percent). The Dragons out rebounded the Mavericks 44-38, and finished the game with 13 assists to eight turnovers.
Impact Performances…
Senior guard
Aaron Lien finished with a team-high 17 points. Lien was a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line, and had one assist.
Senior forward
Ayob Ayob nearly registered a double double with 13 points and nine rebounds. Ayob also had three assists.
Junior guard
Tanner Kretchman finished the contest with 11 points and seven assists, while sophomore forward
Addison Park had 10 points to go along with five rebounds.
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game…
Tonight, coupled with the loss to Northern State on Dec. 17, marks the first time that the Dragons have lost two consecutive home NSIC games since losing 75-61 versus Augustana on Feb. 24, 2012, then dropping a 64-50 verdict against Wayne State the next night.
Up Next…
MSUM takes on Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 6 p.m.
