MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team defeated Southwest Minnesota State University, 85-78, in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Friday night in Moorhead, Minn.
 
MSUM improved to 6-15 overall and 4-11 in NSIC play, while SMSU fell 14-7, 10-5 NSIC.
 
Sophomore guard Johnny Beeninga led the way for the Dragons with 23 points and five assists. Junior guard Travaun Coad had 21 points and a team-best of eight rebounds. Junior forward Addison Park added 13 points and four rebounds, while senior guard Tanner Kretchman had ten points and three assists.
 
The Dragons shot 54.5 percent (30-of-55) from the field compared to the Mustangs at 49.2 percent (30-of-61). Southwest Minnesota State held a 36-27 edge in rebounds.
 
The game was tied, 7-7, when MSUM went on a 18-6 run to take a 12-point lead over the Mustangs. The Dragons led by as many as 20 with over four minutes to play. SMSU cut the deficit to 49-35 going into halftime.
 
The Dragons shot 66.7 percent (20-of-30) in the first half. Beeninga had 13 first half points, while Coad had 11.
 
MSUM held a 67-61 lead in the second half, when the Mustangs went on 15-5 run to pull ahead for the first time all night. Free throws from Kretchman and a bucket from Coad tied the game 76-76 with under a minute to play. Beeninga hit a three to regain the lead for the Dragons. Free throws helped MSUM outscore the Mustangs, 5-2, in the final minute of the game leading the Dragons to an 85-78 NSIC victory.
 
Sophomore guard Matt Anderson had seven points and three rebounds off the bench for MSUM.
 
The Dragons will wrap up the weekend at home on Saturday against University of Sioux Falls with game time set for 6 p.m.
 
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: The Dragons have now won three straight home games over Southwest Minn. St. The Dragons posted a 115-82 win on Jan. 16, 2016 and an 87-78 triumph in the first round of the NSIC tournament on Feb. 27, 2013.