Men's Basketball | 3/1/2016 7:58:00 PM

Box Score
SIOUX FALLS, S. D. – The No. 7-ranked Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team put up a valiant effort on Tuesday but fell to Augustana, 89-76 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference/Sanford Health men's basketball tournament championship game at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Dragons are now 30-5 on the year while the Vikings are 28-2.

Three Dragons -- senior Isaac Sevlie, junior Aaron Lien and sophomore Tanner Kretchman -- were chosen to the all-tournament team.

MSUM, which was missing senior Ngijol Songolo and Ayob Ayob with injuries, was led by junior guard Aaron Lien who put up a career-high 31 points and added four rebounds and two assists on the evening. Senior center Isaac Sevlie had 17 points before fouling out of the game mid-way through the second half and senior guard Tyler Vaughan added 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Tanner Kretchman had 11 points and seven assists in the loss.

The Dragons shot 52 percent from the field in the match while Augustana shot 57 percent. The Dragons were 8-of-25 from three-point range for 32 percent and the Vikings were 9-of-25 for 36 percent. The Dragons grabbed 23 rebounds while Augustana had 33 boards.
The Dragons fell behind early, before back-to-back buckets from Sevlie would bring the score within one at 8-7. A monster slam from Sevlie would tie the game at 22 with 11 minutes to play and a deep jumper from Vaughan would give the Dragons the lead at 24-22 with 10:25 to play in the first.

A deep three from Lien would extend the lead to five at 29-25 before the Vikings would claw their way back taking a 42-35 lead with just under two minutes to play in the first half. Kretchman would make two free-throws with 40 seconds to play in the half, cutting the Viking lead to one at 42-41 going into the half.

Augustana would go on a 5-0 run to begin the second half but Vaughan would slash his way through the lane and not be denied bringing the score to 53-52 in favor of Augie with 16 minutes to play.  Augie pushed the lead up to 68-60 moments later, and but the Dragons answered with a 10-4 spurt to cut the lead to 72-70 with 6:29 left.

Freshman Addison Park and Vaughan would put up back-to-back buckets to bring the Dragons within two at 76-74 with just under four minutes to play, but Augie would pull away going on a 13-2 run to end the game.

MSUM will now prepare for the Central Region tournament. The Dragons will learn the opponent and site of the tournament on Sunday.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: Despite tonight's loss, the Dragons are tied with Minnesota State Mankato and Augustana for the most wins (11) in the NSIC tournament since 2012.