MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State University Moorhead had 12 different players score as they improved to 21-4 overall and 16-3 in NSIC play after defeating Bemidji State (9-15, 7-12 NSIC) on Friday evening, 102-78. Junior guard
Tanner Kretchman led all scorers with 19 points.
MSUM maintains a one game lead in the NSIC over Southwest Minnesota State and Northern State.
How it happened…
MSUM led Bemidji State for 39:03 and never trailed in a game that was controlled by the Dragons from start to finish.
The Dragons built an 11-2 lead in the early goings of the first half. A nice run from the Beavers brought the game to 14-13 with 13:05 to play in the first half, but the visitors couldn't pull any closer as MSUM entered halftime up 44-30.
The Dragons outscored the Beavers in the paint 24-16 in the first half, and shot 60.0 percent from the field (18-of-30).
MSUM outpaced Bemidji State in the second half, building up a lead as large as 31 points, as the Dragons rolled to a 102-78 victory.
The Dragons, who lead the nation in fewest turnovers (8.7), finished the game with just six turnovers compared to 20 assists. MSUM finished the game 41-of-62 from the field (66.1 percent).
Impact Performances…
Junior guard
Tanner Kretchman finished the game with eight assists, and is now just six assists shy of breaking MSUM's all-time assists record. Kretchman scored a team-high 19 points.
Senior guard
Aaron Lien, who started in his 100
th game tonight, finished with 18 points off 8-of-10 from the field. Lien had five rebounds, three steals and one assist.
Senior guard
Jon Doss added 13 points and five rebounds for the Dragons.
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game…
The Dragons have now won seven straight at home over Bemidji State and are 13-2 against the Beavers under the direction of
Chad Walthall. The 13 wins are the most over any other team since he took over the program seven years ago.
Up Next…
MSUM has its final home game of the season as the Dragons take on Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.
