MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State University Moorhead improved to 17-3 overall and 12-2 in NSIC play on Saturday evening after winning a shootout over division foe St. Cloud State (14-9, 10-4 NSIC). Senior forward Ayob Ayob scored a career-high 31 points on the way to an 87-82 win.
 
With the win the Dragons now hold a two-game lead over Northern State and St. Cloud State for the top spot in the NSIC North Division. The Dragons lead Upper Iowa and Southwest Minnesota State by one game in the overall NSIC race.

 
How it happened…
MSUM never managed to lead in the first half, and got behind by as much as 10 points. With the Huskies leading by one, 23-22, St. Cloud State rattled off nine straight points giving them their largest lead of the game. The Dragons battled over the next seven minutes bringing the game to 41-36 in favor of the Huskies at halftime. Ayob had a team-high 10 points in the first half for a Dragons squad that shot 43.3 percent from the field (13-for-30).
 
Senior guard Aaron Lien got the scoring started in the second half with a layup on the opening possession. The Dragons took their first lead of the game, 47-45, after a senior forward Matt Nelson layup assisted by junior guard Tanner Kretchman. It was a shootout from there on out, as the game saw seven ties and eight lead changes. The Dragons built their largest lead of the game, 79-76, with 5:06 to play off back-to-back three pointers from Kretchman. St. Cloud State answered with back-to-back three point attempts from Scottie Stone. At the other end of the floor freshman Johnny Beeninga tallied three of his 12 points, giving the lead right back to the Dragons for what turned out to be the final time. St. Cloud had the ball with under thirty seconds left, down 83-83, Ayob stood tall in the lane and took a charge, ultimately giving the Dragons the 87-82 win.
 
The Dragons finished the game 28-of-55 from the field (50.9 percent), while holding the visiting Huskies to 32-of-73 from the field (43.8 percent).
 
Impact Performances…
For the second straight night, senior forward Ayob Ayob led the way for the Dragons offensively tallying a career-high 31 points. Ayob finished the game 8-of-14 from the field, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc and 11-of-13 from the free throw line. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, two steals, two blocks and an assist.
 
Senior guard Aaron Lien added 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Lien was 6-of-10 from the field.
 
Freshman guard Johnny Beeninga scored 12 points, while junior guard Tanner Kretchman had 11 with eight assists.
 
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game…
The Dragons own the longest winning streak over St. Cloud State with their seventh consecutive win over the Huskies. Minnesota State Mankato has won six straight.
 
Up Next…
MSUM is back on the road for a pair of NSIC games at Southwest Minnesota State (Jan. 27) and Sioux Falls (Jan. 28).