CROOKSTON, Minn. – Nine different players scored a basket while four MSU Moorhead players scored in double figures as the second-ranked Dragons defeated Minnesota Crookston 84-67 on Thursday evening.
Five points from
Jamir Price, including a three-point make helped give MSUM an 11-8 lead early in the first half. Both teams took the first five minutes of the contest to feel one another out as the Dragons made five of their first eight shot attempts. Minnesota Crookston converted on four of their first seven field goal attempts in the same stretch.
The Dragons would score six straight points out of the media timeout headlined by a steal and coast to coast slam from Price.
Jacob Jennissen had a massive block on the other end on the ensuing possession to keep MSUM's energy high.
Owen Hektner and
Ja'Kair Sanchez would drain consecutive three-pointers midway through the half to extend the lead to 24-12. The Dragons would shoot a whopping 62.5 percent through the first 10 minutes of play to build the advantage.
MSUM's defensive effort throughout the half was admirable as well with the Dragons contesting almost every Golden Eagle attempt. The Dragons also turned Minnesota Crookston over five times through 10 minutes of play. From there, the game would slow down as MSUM still held a 36-25 lead with less than five minutes to play in the half. To that point, MSUM owned a plus-six turnover advantage. Out of the under-five minute timeout, MSUM would go on a short 9-4 run led by baskets from Jennissen and an and-one from Sanchez.
The sophomore Jennissen would put the finishing touches on the half with an offensive rebound followed by a thunderous dunk with less than 40 seconds left. Jennissen would end the half with another offensive rebound, his fourth of the half, and put in a hook shot as time expired. MSUM led 49-29 at the break behind a 54.3 percent field goal percentage and forcing eight Golden Eagle turnovers. Price led MSUM with 11 points in the half while Jennissen scored 10 points and pulled in eight rebounds.
Minnesota Crookston would show some great resolve to begin the second half, opening on a 10-4 run to cut the Dragon lead to 14 points. The Golden Eagles would net six of their first nine field goal attempts to trail by just 12 with under 15 minutes to play. With 10 minutes to play, MSUM still remained in front by 10 points as a slam from
Dane Zimmer would provide some needed momentum for the Dragons.
Jamir Price and
Jacob Beeninga would tally a three-pointer each thereafter as Minnesota Crookston attempted a run. Those baskets would help put MSUM back up by 12 points while a putback lay-in from Zimmer stretched the advantage back to 14 points. Beeninga would drive through the lane on the next possession and make an acrobatic lay-up while being fouled, putting the score at 70-54.
Beeninga would make an extra pass to Zimmer with just over five minutes left as the senior nailed a three-pointer that put MSUM up 76-54. That 22-point lead would be MSUM's biggest of the evening as the Dragons polished off the final moments for a 84-67 victory.
Jacob Jennissen collected a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds while also blocking three shots in the win.
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Up Next
MSUM (11-0, 5-0 NSIC) is back on the road for a Saturday matchup with Minot State beginning at 1:30 p.m.
