CROOKSTON, Minn. – Senior forward Ayob Ayob hit a game winning three-point shot with 0:04 left on the clock to complete the come from behind victory for the Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team (8-1, 4-0 NSICD). The Dragons defeated the Golden Eagles of the University of Minnesota Crookston (3-5, 0-3 NSIC), 82-81. Sophomore forward Addison Park was the leading scorer for MSUM with a career-high 21 points.
 
How it happened…
MSUM trailed Minnesota Crookston at the first media timeout 10-6. The Dragons battled back over the next seven minutes to take a one point advantage at the 7:30 mark of the first half, 20-19. The two teams battled back and forth, but it was the Golden Eagles who took a lead into halftime, 40-32. The Dragons have trailed at halftime only once prior to tonight during the season. Park had a team-high eight points at the half. The Dragons shot 12-of-26 (46.2 percent) from the field in the first half. UMC finished the first half 14-of-27 (51.9 percent) from the field.
 
UMC hit a three out of the intermission building its largest lead of the game, 43-32. Freshman guard Johnny Beeninga answered with a three of his own at the other end, followed by a layup from senior guard Aaron Lien to cut the lead to six, 43-37. Shortly after, MSUM utilized an 8-0 run to push a six point deficit into a one point lead, 51-50. The Dragons managed to push the lead to six points, but a few quick baskets saw the eight tie of the game at 70-70 with 4:06 left on the clock. Minnesota Crookston took back the lead it had for much of the game, up 78-73 with 1:59 remaining. A dunk from Park and two made free throws from Lien brought the deficit to just one with UMC leading 78-77. With the Golden Eagles leading by three, junior guard Tanner Kretchman made up layup with seven seconds left to keep the deficit at one. At the other end of the floor Connor Gamble found himself at the free throw line for two attempts. After making 1-of-2, Ayob got the ball and hit what turned out to be the game winning three-point basket with four seconds left. UMC had one more shot to try and win, but it was Ayob who came up with a steal to end the game in favor of MSUM, 82-81.
 
MSUM finished the contest 32-of-57 from the field (56.1 percent), while the host UMC finished 28-of-56 from the field (50.0 percent). The Dragons had the edge on the glass 31-27, and finished the contest with 12 assists to eight turnovers.
 
Impact Performances…
Sophomore forward Addison Park had a career night, shattering his previous career-high of 12 points by dropping 21 for the Dragons. Park was a perfect 10-of-10 from the field, with seven rebounds one assist, one block and one steal.
 
Senior forward Ayob Ayob finished with 17 points, including the game winner with four seconds left in the game. Ayob shot 63.6 percent from the field, with five rebounds, one block and three steals.
 
Senior guard Aaron Lien and freshman guard Johnny Beeninga finished the contest with 14 points apiece.
 
Steve D'eustachio Stat of the Game…
Tonight's 40-32 halftime deficit was the first time that the Dragons trailed UMC at the half since the Dragons' 84-76 home win on Jan. 16, 2010.
 
Up next…
MSUM travels to Bemidji State for the final game of the weekend on Saturday, Dec. 10. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.