CROOKSTON, MINN. – Jacob Beeninga, Lorenzo McGhee and Gavin Baumgartner combined for 61 points as MSUM used a big second half push to defeat Minnesota Crookston 85-77.
 
The first five minutes saw the two teams trading baskets with the Dragons shooting 44 percent from the field through five minutes. Jacob Beeninga scored four early points with a Lorenzo McGhee three-pointer putting the Dragons up 9-7. However, Minnesota Crookston would nail two threes of their own to take a 10-9 lead early. Gavin Baumgartner would dish out his 400^th career assist to Dane Zimmer shortly thereafter. Baumgartner joins Jordan Riewer and Tanner Kretchman as the only Dragons to tally 400 or more career assists.
 
McGhee and Jaden Stanley-Williams would each hit threes to give the Dragons a 17-16 lead midway through the half. The dynamic duo of McGhee and Stanley-Williams would go on a 10-2 run to put MSUM in front by five points at the under 10 media timeout. McGhee would score 10 points in the first half with the Dragons pushing their lead to 10 points as the half waned. 
 
MSUM would shoot 42.9 percent for the half with Jacob Beeninga seemingly scoring a will, netting a game-high 14 points in the first 20 minutes. The sophomore finished the half making four of his last five field goals. The Golden Eagles would close the half on a 10-0 run to tie the game at 38 points at halftime. 
 
The Dragons cooled off to open the second half, shooting just 35.7 percent in the first eight minutes of second half play. In that span, Minnesota Crookston would keep the score within a possession, shooting 45.5 percent in that same span. MSUM would push their lead to 11 points midway through the final frame. In a three-minute stretch, the Dragons went on a 10-2 run to create some separation.
 
MSUM would extend their lead to 17 points with under five minutes remaining. The Dragons would stay in a comfortable position from there, polishing off a 85-77 win. It is MSUM's 20^th win of the season. 
 
Lorenzo McGhee would finish the game with 19 points, bringing his MSUM career total to 968 with three games remaining. 
 
Top Dragons

• Jacob Beeninga: 23 points, seven rebounds
• Lorenzo McGhee: 19 points, six rebounds
• Gavin Baumgartner: 19 points, four rebounds, four assists (12-12 free throws)

Up Next
 
MSUM (20-5, 15-4 NSIC) is back on the floor tomorrow to take on Bemidji State. Tip-off from Bemidji is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.