ABERDEEN, S.D. – Seventh-ranked MSU Moorhead would register its first conference win of the 2023-24 season on Thursday evening as the Dragons went into Wachs Arena and topped the Northern State Wolves, 86-76.
Unsurprisingly, both squads worked to a neck and neck beginning of the contest with the Wolves leading 16-15 early. The home squad made three of their first six three-point attempts in the first five minutes to retain a small advantage over the visiting Dragons.
Logan Kinsey was aggressive for MSUM early, working toward six of the 15 points scored. The highlight was a lovely lay-in after some stellar vision from big man
Jacob Jennissen. The transfer would later score on an up and under move to give the Dragons a 21-20 lead.
Northern State would hold the Dragons scoreless for exactly four minutes shortly thereafter. A score from
Jamir Price at the rim would cut the Wolves lead to 25-23. MSUM would miss their first three long range shots in the half as Northern State would take advantage, building a 31-25 lead. MSUM left more points off the board in the half as well, converting just three of seven free throws through 16 minutes.
The Dragons would collect some needed momentum with just over five minutes remaining as Kinsey would get a tip-in to cut the deficit to four points. With under five minutes remaining, MSUM had pulled within a basket following a fadeaway conversion from
Jamir Price. Four consecutive points from
Ja'Kair Sanchez in the final minute of play would help the Dragons pull even with the Wolves at the break, 40-40.
MSUM shot 51.5 percent from the floor in the half but missed all three long range shot attempts and only converted 54.5 percent of their foul shots. On the other end, Northern State would make eight of ten from the charity stripe. The Wolves also had an eight-rebound advantage on the Dragons at the break.
The Dragons would begin the second half on a 15-6 run to pull in front 55-46.
Jacob Beeninga found a matchup he liked in the early stages to jolt MSUM.
Gabe Myren would turn in four gritty points in the stretch before Price capped the run with an acrobatic reverse lay-up. MSUM opened the frame with a renewed sense of defensive effort and energy which helped build the lead as Northern State was held to 30 percent shooting in the same stretch.
Myren continued to get downhill and would pour in four more points to bring his total to 15 for the contest. The junior would then drive through the lane and dish a pass to a wide-open Price for a three ball that found all net and oxygen. Price's long-range shot pushed the Dragon lead to 64-47. Northern State would whittle the deficit down to 11 points after two consecutive threes. Beeninga would get to the rim to score five straight for the Dragons to bring the lead to 71-57. The junior would cast an off balance three on the next possession that would find paydirt, pushing Beeninga's total to 19 for the game.
The eight-point outburst from Beeninga was able to create a lead Northern State could not come back from. Time after time, MSUM would drive into the lane and convert on easy shots near the rim. The Dragons scored 54 points in the paint in the game, making 54.8 percent of their field goals in total. Northern State would employ a late press which would help them to trim the lead to six points with just over 30 seconds remaining. However, MSUM would knock in the necessary free throws in the waning seconds to put the finishing touches on a massive conference victory. Myren finished with 19 points, just one shy of his career high.
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MSUM (7-0) has their home opener on Saturday, December 2 as the Dragons will meet up with the University of Mary at 3:30 p.m.
