NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament Bracket
MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team defeated University of Minnesota Duluth, 71-67, Saturday night in its regular season finale.
MSUM improved to 7-21 overall and 5-17 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action. Minnesota Duluth fell to 11-17 overall and 7-15 in NSIC play.
Tanner Kretchman was honored as part of Senior Night. In his time at MSUM, Kretchman has become the all-time leader in assists, ranks seventh points and second in three-point field goals made.
Sophomore guard
Johnny Beeninga scored career-high 29 points on the night and added three assists. Senior guard Kretchman had 17 points and seven assists, while juniors
Addison Park and
Travaun Coad had seven points, each.
Jake Johnson led with six rebounds off the bench, while Park had five rebounds and
Matt Anderson had four.
The Dragons shot 47.1 percent (24-of-51) from the field compared to UMD at 46 percent (29-of-63). The Bulldogs held a 36-32 edge in rebounds. MSUM shot 52.2 percent (12-of-23) from beyond the arc.
Kretchman hit a three-pointer to start the game, which would also be the start of an early 11-2 run by the Dragons. MSUM increased its lead to 12 points when UMD went on a 18-9 lead for the remainder of the half to cut the Dragons lead to just 37-34 going into halftime.
The Bulldogs would begin the second half by outscoring MSUM, 6-2, to gain its first lead of the game. However, Kretchman would hit yet another three to kick off a 21-13 run by the Dragons. UMD would go on a 6-2 run within the last three minutes of play, but it wasn't enough to catch up to the Dragons. MSUM would close out its season with a 71-67 NSIC win over Minnesota Duluth.
The Dragons will travel to take on Minnesota State Mankato in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health tournament, Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game:
Tanner Kretchman played in his 133rd consecutive game tonight and made his 87th start while his Dragons have posted a 96-37 record (.722 win percentage).
