Game Notes PDF
MOORHEAD, Minn. -- The Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team (2-4, 0-0 NSIC) will open Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play this weekend at University of Mary and Minot State University.

HOW TO FOLLOW...
U-Mary: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/msum/index.htm
Minot State: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/msum/index.htm

THIS WEEKEND...
The Dragons will play their first pair of NSIC games on the road this weekend at U-Mary, Friday at 8 p.m. and Minot State, Saturday at 6 p.m.

LOOKING BACK...
The Dragons wrapped up nonconference play at the Drury Thanksgiving Classic last weekend. MSUM fell to Drury University, 101-81. However, five Dragons scored in double figures, led by sophomore guard Evan Hines with 17 points and six rebounds. MSUM shot 47.3 percent (26-of-55) compared to 56.5 percent (35-of-62) for the Panthers. Drury had a 36-31 edge in rebounds.

The Dragons led 46-39 at halftime but William Jewell College rallied in the second half to take an 89-75 win over MSUM. Senior guard Tanner Kretchman and junior guard Travaun Coad led MSUM with 21 points each. Sophomore forward Matt Anderson had 13 points while sophomore guard Evan Hines had 10 rebounds. The Dragons shot 40.6 percent (28-of-69) compared to 46 percent (30-of-64) for the Cardinals. WJC outrebounded MSUM 40-37.  

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION...
University of Mary
The Marauders are 1-3, 0-1 NSIC early this season after falling to Minot State in their first conference game of the season, 91-61. Their top scorer is Trevor Zacher, who is averaging 13.8 points per game, while Tom Kubank is averaging 12.5 points per game. Matthew Kreklow leads the rebounding with 22, while Zacher has 24. Kreklow also has six blocks and 4 steals. Jaylan White leads the Marauders in assists with 14. U-Mary is led by head coach Joe Kittell who is in his third season with a record of 31-29.

Minot State University
The Beavers are undefeated so far this season with a 7-0 overall record. Minot State is 1-0 in NSIC play after picking up its first conference win over U-Mary. The Beavers offense is led by Tyler Rudolph with 167 points, averaging 23.9 points per game. Russ Davis is averaging 11.1 ppg while David Akibo is averaging 10.7 ppg. Rudolph also records team bests in rebounds with 56 and blocks with 6. Luis Ricci Maia has 39 assists for the Beavers, averaging 5.6 per game. As a team the Minot State is shooting  48.0 percent compared to its opponents at 39.2 percent. The Beavers are led by head coach sixth year head coach Matt Murken who has a record of 61-80 at Minot State.

MORE ABOUT MSUM...
Kretchman Breaks Records
Senior Tanner Kretchman became the all-time career assist leader earlier this season in MSUM's victory over Northern Michigan. Kretchman now has 484 assists over assistant coach Jordan Riewer with 471. For the first time in the school's history Kretchman has posted back-to-back seasons with at least 200 assists. He is just 16 assists away from becoming the first Dragon to hit 500 career assists. Kretchman is also 19th all time in scoring with 1,277 points and is now tied for fifth in career three-point field goals made with 204.

Sophomores Shine
With only one senior on the team this year some younger players stepped up to take a bigger role on the team.  Sophomore guard Evan Hines is second on the team with 76 points, averaging 12.7 points per game. Hines also leads with 8.5 rebounds per game. The Dragons starting lineup includes sophomores Johnny Beeninga and Matt Anderson. Beeninga is averaging 11.3 points per game and also adds 14 assists and 18 rebounds. Anderson is averaging 10.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He also adds two blocks and one steal.

Offensive Distribution
The Dragons have gotten some great offensive distribution early in the season with four players averaging at least 11.0 points per game. Tanner Kretchman (20.2), Evan Hines (12.7), Travaun Coad (12.0) and Johnny Beeninga (11.3).

Who's Back?
The Dragons return eight players from a season ago, including four of the top-seven scorers, including starter Tanner Kretchman. Kretchman averaged 16.7/ppg, sophomore forward Matt Anderson averaged 8/ppg, junior forward Addison Park averaged 7.7/ppg and sophomore guard Jonny Beeninga averaged 4.5/ppg.
 
Newcomers
The Dragons welcome seven newcomers to the squad this season. Junior guard Travaun Coad, junior forward Cody Cox, junior forward Jake Johnson, freshman guard Bryce Irsfeld, freshman guard Siman Sem, freshman guard Gavin Baumgartner and freshman center Jesse Bergh.

Riewer Returns
Former Dragon standout Jordan Riewer has returned this season, except instead of taking the court he will be on the sidelines. The Staples, Minn. native is in his first season as a Dragon assistant coach after playing overseas for the Oettinger Rockets in Germany. While a player, he was named the 2014-15 MSUM Male Athlete of the Year, and helped the Dragons reach the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the first time in school history. He left MSUM with 1,382 points scored, and is second in school history with 471 assists and holds the record with 226 three-pointers made.

Walthall Back for 8th Season
Head Coach Chad Walthall is entering his eighth season at the helm for MSUM. Walthall has amassed an impressive 165-57 record (.743) during his time as the head coach of the Dragons. Walthall is joined on the coaching staff by Justin Wieck (fourth season) and Jordan Riewer (first season).

Up Next
The Dragons will return home to take on Minnesota Crookston, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. and Bemidji State Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.