MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team was edged by Minnesota State University, Mankato, 82-79, in the opening round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament Wednesday night in Mankato, Minn. Four Dragons scored in double figures for MSUM.
 
The Dragons finished off its season 7-22 overall, while the Mavericks improved to 21-8.
 
Senior guard Tanner Kretchman led MSUM with 22 points, while also adding five rebounds and two assists. Sophomore guard Johnny Beeninga scored 19 points, while Travaun Coad had 15 points and six rebounds. Junior forward Addison Park scored double-digits in his 19^th game this season with 14 points. Jake Johnson had nine points and a team-best seven rebounds.
 
The Dragons shot 45.6 percent from the field (31-of-68) compared to Minnesota State at 52.6 percent (30-of-57). The Mavericks also held a 36-32 edge in rebounds.
 
The Mavericks had built a 29-19 lead at the 7:29 mark of the first half when Kretchman hit a three to spark a 16-7 run, cutting the lead to 36-35. MSU scored six straight to build its lead back up, 42-35, with under two minutes to play. A three-pointer from Beeninga and a layup by Kretchman helped the Dragons close in on the gap, only trailing 42-40 going into halftime.
 
MSUM started the second half out on a 13-7 run to gain its first lead of the game, 53-49. The Mavericks would come back and the lead would change hands five more times throughout the remainder of the game.
 
MSU held a five-point lead with under two minutes to play, but a 10-5 run capped off by a three from Beeninga would make it a one-point game with two seconds remaining. Two free throws from the Mavericks would seal the game, edging the Dragons, 82-79.