MOORHEAD, Minn. -- The MSU Moorhead Dragon men's basketball team rolls into this week with a couple of fierce opponents on the horizon. They will host the Bemidji State University Beavers on Friday for a contest that tips off at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday the Dragons will battle the St. Cloud State Huskies at 3:30 p.m.

Live stats and video are available at msumdragons.com
 
The Rundown

The fifth-ranked Dragons (8-0, 2-0 NSIC), are still undefeated on the season as they dispatched their two opponents last week. They topped Northern State 86-76 with a strong second half performance propelling them to victory. Against the University of Mary the Dragons dominated the whole game as they grabbed the 95-55 triumph.

The Dragons climbed to number five in the nation in this week's NABC poll with their two victories last week propelling them up the rankings. Against Northern State the Dragon's top performer was junior guard Gabe Myren. Myren turned in one of the best performances of his Dragon career, going seven of nine from the floor, all of which being two pointers as Myren is great off the dribble and getting to the basket. He totaled 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals, all while not committing a turnover. As a team, the Dragons shot 58.6 percent from the field in the second half to pull away from Northern State down the stretch.

In their matchup against the University of Mary, Dragon newcomer, junior guard Jamir Price, popped off for a double-double. He was nearly perfect from the field, going seven of eight, and one of two from three. He totaled 19 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and tallied a steal as well. As a team the Dragons shot 57.6 percent from the field, and a very good 40.9 percent from beyond the arc. 
 
On the season, the Dragons score 83.5 points per game, while only allowing their opponents to score 73 points per game. The Dragons shoot 47.6 percent from the field, and 36.6 percent from three-point range. When they get to the charity strip, which is often at 18.4 times per game, they make 71.4 percent of their attempts. The Dragons pull down 36.4 rebounds per game, assist on 9.5 shots per game and only turn the ball over 8.5 times per game. On the defensive side, they force 13.5 turnovers per game, average 5.8 steals per game and block 2.8 shots from their opponents per game.

Dragon Team Leaders
Points per game: Jacob Beeninga – 21.4
Assists: Jamir Price – 22
Rebounds: Dane Zimmer – 66
Steals: Gabe Myren – 13
Blocks: Jacob Jennissen – 7
 
The Dragons are coached by second year man Tim Bergstraser.

Scouting Bemidji State University

The Beavers (6-2, 2-0 NSIC), have started off NSIC conference play with two straight wins, the latest of which coming on a last second buzzer beater to propel the Beavers to a 63-62 victory over University of Minnesota Crookston. Against Crookston, junior guard John Sutherland, who is the Beaver's leading scorer on the year, scored the game-winning bucket with just one second showing on the clock. He totaled 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in the game, carrying the Beavers to victory. 

Senior forward Dalton Albrecht is also someone to look out for. He is second on the team in points scored, averaging 16.1 points per game. He also tallies a team-leading 11.9 rebounds per game and is shooting 36.6 percent from three. As a team the Beavers average 81.8 points per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor. They make 9.1 three pointers per game while shooting 31.2 percent on attempts from downtown. They are one of the best rebounding teams in the country, averaging 45.4 rebounds per game. They average 16.3 assists per game and 10.4 turnovers per game. Defensively, the Beavers turn their opponents over 11.8 times per game, average 6.1 steals and a block per game.

The Beavers are led by 12th year head coach Mike Boschee. 

Last time around the Dragons bested the Beavers in the NSIC tournament semifinal matchup when Lorenzo McGhee hit a step back buzzer beater with no time remaining to give the Dragons the 78-77 victory.
 
Scouting St. Cloud State

The Huskies (4-2, 1-1 NSIC), have started off solid this season. They split their two matchups last weekend, besting Minnesota Crookston 64-60, then dropping the next game to Minot State 85-70. Freshman guard Anish Ramlall leads the Huskies in scoring averaging 13.0 points per game. He shoots 47.2 percent from the field, and 38.2 percent from three-point range. He is second on the team in assists with 9 this season and he also grabs 3.2 rebounds per game.

As a team the Huskies average 68.8 points per game while shooting 40.6 percent from the field, and 32.2 percent from three. Their strength is crashing the glass as they grab 39.7 rebounds per game. They assists on 10.7 buckets per game, turn the ball over 12.7 times each game, grab 4.8 steals per game and average 1.2 blocked shots per game. 

The Huskies are guided by second year head coach Quincy Henderson.

Last season the Dragons beat the Huskies both times they played. They beat the Huskies on the road 86-72, and at home 83-68.