MARSHALL, Minn. -- Coming off their first loss since late November, the MSU Moorhead men's basketball team responded by sneaking past Southwest Minnesota State 77-75 in Marshall this evening.
Both teams shot the ball efficiently in the first half, with the Mustangs netting an impressive 54.5 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes. On the other end, MSUM made 51.6 percent of their field goals in the half, paced by
Lorenzo McGhee, who scored a game-high 19 points in the first half. While MSUM would gain a lead as large as eight points in the first half, the Mustangs were able to take a commanding 42-35 lead as halftime drew close. The Dragons would end the half on a 9-3 run to pull within one point of SMSU at halftime. The Mustangs led 45-44 at the break. In the first 20 minutes, MSUM would net eight three-point field goals.
While the Mustangs would get a lead as large as two points early in the second half, the Dragons would lead for the remainder of the contest. MSUM built a lead as large as nine points midway through the second half before SMSU made a late run. The Mustangs held
Lorenzo McGhee scoreless in the second half and were able to whittle the Dragon lead to three points with just under two minutes remaining. A stout and physical defensive effort from the Mustangs nearly brought them back in front. However,
Gavin Baumgartner hit a deep step-back three-pointer to give the Dragons a 77-69 lead with 43 seconds remaining. The senior finished the game with 18 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
MSUM would struggle from the free throw line down the stretch and SMSU was able to trim the deficit to two points with eight seconds remaining. The Mustangs would get one last shot at victory following a Dragon missed free throw, but the potential game-winning shot did not find paydirt. The Dragons would escape with a 77-75 win.
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Up Next
The Dragons (14-3, 9-2 NSIC) head to Sioux Falls to play the USF Cougars tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. USF is coming off a massive win over Northern State this evening.
