PUEBLO, Colo. -- Another night, another clutch performance from Dragon senior Gavin Baumgartner. With the game on the line in the waning seconds, Baumgartner nailed two clutch free throws to help lift MSUM over New Mexico Highlands. The victory puts the Dragons at a perfect 2-0 in their time at the CSU Pueblo Thanksgiving Classic.
 
Neither team was able to find the basket in the early-going. The Dragons opened the game shooting two of eight from the field. New Mexico Highlands would shoot just three of eight in that same span. The Cowboys would shoot five of six out of the first media timeout to create some space from MSUM. Down 19-13, the Dragons would fall behind by as many as six points before the MSUM offense showed signs of life. Jacob Beeninga would hit his third three-pointer of the half to give MSUM a 23-22 lead, creating a 7-0 run in just over a minute.
 
Separation was hard to come by thereafter with the two teams remaining knotted at 26 points apiece. Down the stretch in the first half, Logan Kinsey's seven first half points helped wake the Dragons up. By half's end, MSUM led 36-30 despite shooting 38.7 percent from the field in 20 minutes. Beeninga led the Dragons with 11 points on three of seven shooting.
 
MSUM began the second half on a 10-4 run to push their lead to 12 points. New Mexico Highlands would continue to answer, as they would trim that lead to one possession five minutes into the half. Midway through the frame, the Cowboys were able to bring the score to 53-50 in favor of MSUM. The Dragons were able to get the Cowboys into a bonus situation early in the half. Meaning, that free throws would become a vital advantage for MSUM down the stretch.
 
With just under 10 minutes remaining, Dante Moses was able to tie the game at 54 with an and-one at the rim. As the clock dwindled under seven minutes, the two teams were still even, this time at 60 apiece. Gavin Baumgartner hit a pair of free throws to put MSUM in front 62-60. Dane Zimmer converted an and-one to put the Dragons in front 65-64, the 11^th lead change of the game to that point. New Mexico Highlands would turn right around and head into the final media timeout tied at 67 with the Dragons.
 
Beeninga would convert on a runner with just over a minute remaining to put MSUM up one. The Cowboys were able to keep pace thanks to the play of Dante Moses, who was seemingly unstoppable from the left side of the key. Moses finished with a game-high 30 points. It was Jalen Munn who put the Cowboys back up one in the waning seconds. Gavin Baumgartner was then fouled with 12 seconds remaining and would head to the line with the game on the line.
 
The senior would bury them both, giving MSUM a one-point lead.
 
New Mexico Highlands would have two opportunities to win in the final seconds. Both times they were stopped by the Dragon defense. Behind Baumgartner's clutch free throws, the Dragons would take the game 76-75. Baumgartner finished the game with 13 points, going five of six from the free throw line including the game-winner. 
 
Top Dragons

• Jacob Beeninga: 20 points, five rebounds
• Dane Zimmer: 15 points, six rebounds
• Gavin Baumgartner: 13 points
• Logan Kinsey: Nine points, 10 rebounds

 
Up Next
 
MSUM (5-2) will return home for a game with Minot State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The Dragons will then travel to Bismarck for a 4 p.m. date with UMary on Saturday.