WAYNE, Neb. – Minnesota State University Moorhead improved to 15-3 overall and 10-2 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play with a 95-87 win over Wayne State (5-13, 3-9 NSIC) on Saturday night in Wayne, Neb. Senior guard
Aaron Lien scored a game-high 32 points.
With the win, and with a road loss by Southwest Minnesota State at Bemidji State, MSUM is now alone in first place in the NSIC, a half-game ahead of St. Cloud State, who the Dragons host on Jan. 21.
How it happened…
The Dragons fell behind early, 6-2, but entered the first media timeout leading 12-8. A layup from sophomore forward
Addison Park pushed the Dragons lead to 8, but an 8-0 run from Wayne saw the game tied 25-25 with six minutes left in the first half. Senior guard
Aaron Lien hit a three putting MSUM up 32-29, but the Dragons entered halftime tied 42-42. Kretchman led MSUM in scoring with 15 points off 6-of-7 from the floor.
Wayne State jumped out to a 48-44 lead early in the second half, and pushed the lead to 67-59 with less than 13 minutes to play. The Dragons battled back from an eight point deficit when Lien tied the game at 69-69 with a pair of free throws at the 8:47 mark. MSUM used a 10-4 run over the next four minutes taking an 82-73 lead, and went on to win 95-87.
MSUM held the edge in rebounds 28-21, and finished the game 31-of-48 from the field.
Impact Performances…
Senior guard
Aaron Lien 32 points off 9-of-11 from the field. Lien finished a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc and 11-of-13 from the free throw line.
Junior guard
Tanner Kretchman finished the contest with 23 points. Kretchman went 8-for-10 from the field, had four rebounds and four assists.
Senior forward
Ayob Ayob added 14 points for the Dragons.
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game…
Tonight was the Dragons' 10th consecutive NSIC road win. Their last road loss in conference play was their 98-97 double overtime loss at Concordia-St. Paul on Jan. 29, 2016.
Up Next…
MSUM returns to Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead, Minn. for a two-game stand with NSIC foes Minnesota Duluth (Jan. 20) and St. Cloud State (Jan. 21).