MINOT, N.D. – Lorenzo McGhee needed 14 points to get to 1,000 for his MSUM career. The senior netted 21, including a game-winning jumper with 11 seconds remaining to help propel MSU Moorhead over Minot State 57-55.
 
MSUM would start with a slight chill on their shots in the first 10 minutes. In a game that featured few stoppages in the early portion, the Dragons shot just one of seven from beyond the arc and 29.4 percent from the field overall. Minot State was able to take a 12-11 lead, but MSUM was able to stay in the contest early thanks to stingy defense. The Dragons forced five turnovers within the first 10 minutes of play.
 
Gabe Myren and Jacob Beeninga would hit back-to-back threes to put MSUM back in front 17-14. The make for Myren was just his third three-point field goal of the season (on six attempts). Minot State would lead 21-20 with under eight minutes remaining with the Beavers shooting 52.9 percent from the floor to that point. Compare that to MSUM's 34.8 percent mark in the same stretch.
 
It was the continued activity on defense that helped lift the Dragons as they would eventually take a three-point lead with under five minutes left in the half. MSUM held Minot State scoreless for nearly three minutes to pull in front on the scoreboard. Despite shooting just 32.4 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes, a Lorenzo McGhee buzzer-beater as time expired gave the Dragons a 29-28 halftime lead. 
 
McGhee led the Dragons with nine first-half points, bringing him five points shy of 1,000 for his MSUM career. The Beavers shot an efficient 44 percent (on just 25 shot attempts), but MSUM would force 10 turnovers to compensate for the cold shooting, scoring 12 points off those turnovers. The first half had eight lead changes. 
 
With Minot State taking a three-point lead early in the second half, an and-one from Gavin Baumgartner would once again even the score. Back-to-back scores from Gabe Myren would put MSUM back in front by four points. McGhee would score his 1,000^th point with 12:24 left in the second half on a drive to the basket, converting the lay-in while being fouled. MSUM would carry a 46-43 lead with under 10 minutes remaining.
 
With under five minutes remaining, MSUM possessed a five-point lead thanks to a Jacob Beeninga three-pointer. Both teams would go scoreless for an extended period of time before the under five minute break. 
 
Tied at 55 with 35 seconds remaining, Lorenzo McGhee nailed a turnaround jumper to give the Dragons a two-point lead with 11 seconds remaining. Minot State was unable to answer on the other end, as MSUM would capture the win.
 
Top Dragons
 

• Lorenzo McGhe: 21 points, four rebounds
• Jacob Beeninga: 12 points
• Gabe Myren: Nine points
• Dane Zimmer: Six points, 10 rebounds

 
Up Next
 
The Dragons (21-6, 16-5 NSIC) complete the 2022-23 regular season on Saturday against the University of Mary inside Nemzek Fieldhouse. MSUM will honor its four seniors at the game with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m.