ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Returning to where he once played, MSU Moorhead head coach
Tim Bergstraser led his Dragons into Halenbeck Hall in St. Cloud and defeated St. Cloud State 86-72. The win was MSUM's seventh consecutive victory.
"It's always special to come back to my home town and see all the family that I love," said Bergstraser on coming back to St. Cloud and playing his alma mater. "I may get a little more edge when playing my alma mater but really it's another game we approach the same way as always."
Both teams would trade punches for much of the first half with the lead changing nine different times in the first 10 minutes.
Jacob Beeninga was a catalyst in the early going for MSUM, scoring eight of MSUM's first 17 points.
Gavin Baumgartner put in seven points on three of three shooting early. A
Trever Kaiser three-pointer would give MSUM a 22-20 lead as the first half dwindled. The senior's basket was the 11
th lead change of the first 20 minutes. The Dragon defense would tighten up late in the half, holding the Huskies scoreless for the final four minutes and 10 seconds of the frame. In that span, MSUM opened their lead up to eight points, leading 31-23 at half.
Beeninga led the Dragons in the first half, scoring 10 points, a game high to that point. The senior Baumgartner finished the first 20 minutes with nine points and five rebounds.
Dane Zimmer also chipped in a needed six points and seven rebounds. While the Dragons shot just 35.5 percent in the half, St. Cloud State finished with a 29 percent clip. MSUM held the Huskies to just one of six shooting to close the half.
Jacob Beeninga continued to shine as the second half got under way. The Maple Grove, Minn., native notched a three-pointer to put the Dragons up 11. He would then follow that up with an improbable tip-in on an offensive rebound, all while getting fouled. The acrobatic play sent the entire Dragon bench (and Beeninga himself) into a frenzy.
A pair of threes from
Logan Kinsey and another from
Trever Kaiser kept the Dragons in front by eight points midway through the second half.
Dane Zimmer collected his third double-double of the season with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game. MSUM led by six points at the under 10-minute timeout. Zimmer also had two blocked shots in the game.
Gavin Baumgartner nailed back-to-back three-pointers to put the Dragons in front by nine as time ticked away. With those two baskets, Baumgartner became tied for fifth on MSUM's all-time scoring list with Aaron Lien and Greg Duke. The senior also passed Ralph Western for third all-time in career assists in the game. Baumgartner would hit another three with just under three minutes remaining to stand alone in fifth place on the all-time scoring list.
"Gavin is such a balanced player all around. Having his leadership on a consistent basis is a privilege to have as a coach," said Bergstraser. "He's a confident and poised player that brings his teammates with him. Gavin does whatever it takes to win for his team and we are grateful to have his voice in between the lines."
Those big shots from the senior helped keep MSUM in front despite a valiant effort from St. Cloud State. The Dragons would keep the game on ice as it came to a close, winning 86-72.
Top Dragons
Up Next
MSUM will travel onward to Duluth for their rescheduled game with the Bulldogs. The New Year's Day tilt is scheduled for 3 p.m.
