BISMARCK, N.D. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team opened Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play on Friday with a victory over University of Mary, 89-82.
MSUM improved to 3-4 overall and 1-0 in the NSIC, while U-Mary fell to 2-4, 0-2 NSIC.
Junior guard Travaun Coad and sophomore guard Johnny Beeninga led the MSUM. Coad recorded his first double-double as a Dragon with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Beeninga scored a career high of 26 points and added three assists.
Sophomore guard Evan Hines had 15 points for the Dragons, while Addison Park had 12 points and eight rebounds. Senior guard Tanner Kretchman added seven assists for MSUM.
MSUM shot 49.2 percent (32-of-65) compared to Mary at 45.3 percent (29-of-64). The Dragons had a 36-32 edge in rebounds.
The Marauders pulled out to a 20-8 lead early in the first half, however the Dragons would go on a 18-2 run to help set them ahead 38-31 at halftime.
MSUM led by as much as 16 points in the second half. Mary shortened the Dragons lead to just three points in the final minute of play, however three Marauder fouls resulted in six made free throws to solidify the Dragons win.
MSUM will play at Minot State University, Saturday at 6 p.m.
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: The Dragons have now won their first NSIC games and their first NSIC road games five years in a row. The last time they the Dragons dropped their NSIC opener (and it was on the road) was when Northern St. earned a 69-66 win in Aberdeen, S.D. exactly five years ago tonight.