ABERDEEN, S.D. — A 56-point second half propelled the Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team to a 93-86 win over No. 2 Northern State in action Saturday at Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, S.D.

MSUM finished the regular season at 9-3 overall and 9-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North, while also ending a 25-game win streak for the Wolves (15-1, 13-1 NSIC North).

Knocking Off a Ranked Team

It was MSUM's first win over a nationally-ranked team since Nov. 1, 2015 when the Dragons beat then-No. 15 Western Washington 74-71. it is the highest-ranked team the Dragons have beaten in the Chad Walthall coaching era.

Kueth Steps Up

Senior guard Gatdoar Kueth paced MSUM with a season-high 25 points. He was 10-of-14 from the field and added nine rebounds. 

Balance the Key

Kueth was one of five Dragons in double figures. Junior guard Bryce Irsfeld had 17 points while junior guard Gavin Baumgartner had 14. Sophomore forward Dane Zimmer had 13 points while freshman guard Jacob Beeninga had 11 off the bench.

Beeninga led with four assists.

MSUM shot 47.8 percent (33-of-69) for the game compared to 50.8 percent (33-of-65) for the Wolves. 

16-0 Run Turns the Tide

MSUM was down 61-58 with 12:36 left in the game but responded with a huge run to surge into a 13-point lead. That 16-0 run included a technical foul on Northern and turned the deficit into a 74-61 Dragon lead with 8:34 left. Baumgartner led with six points, while Beeninga had four and freshman guard Gabe Myren four. 

The Wolves got noses closer than four the rest of the way. 

Foul-Line Advantage

MSUM hit 18-of-26 free throw attempts compared to 6-of-11 for the Wolves. 

Quick Start

MSUM opened the game on a 17-6 run in the first 4:33. Junior guard Lorenzo McGhee had seven points to lead that run while Irsfeld had five. 

Up Next
 

MSUM will be the No. 2 seed from the NSIC North in this week's Sanford Health/NSIC Tournament. Matchup date and opponent to be announced.