MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Top-ranked MSU Moorhead men's basketball weathered a stout Southwest Minnesota State team on Friday evening as the Dragons moved to 15-0 in an 88-87 overtime classic inside Nemzek Fieldhouse.
The win equals the best start in program history as the 2023-24 Dragons now sit alongside the 1970-71 team, who also began their campaign 15-0.
The contest did not start ideally for the Dragons as Southwest Minnesota State would surge out to a 20-8 lead early in the first half as the Mustangs took advantage of some poor shooting from MSUM. However, MSUM would show their resilience throughout the first 20 minutes as they would continue to chip away at the deficit. Nearing the midway point of the first half, MSUM had cut into the lead, trailing by just five, 27-22. This came thanks to
Eddie Beeninga, who was a sparkplug off the bench for the Dragons, netting eight quick points in four minutes of action. Beeninga would make three of four shot attempts including a pair of three-point shots.
Down the stretch in the first half, MSUM would be able to continually move closer and closer to the Mustangs on the scoreboard. By half's end, MSUM had equalized the game at 42 points despite SMSU shooting 53.3 percent in the first half.
Dane Zimmer scored with under 30 seconds remaining to tie the game at the break. The Beeninga brothers would combine to score 17 points in the first half while
Logan Kinsey added in eight points for the Dragons.
Ja'Kair Sanchez was key all evening for MSUM as well, scoring nine points in the first 20 minutes.
The second half would be a neck and neck 20 minutes with neither team able to gain much of an advantage throughout the half. Between the two teams, the largest lead of the frame was five points, held by MSUM early in the period. Zimmer was a key piece in keeping the Dragons in stride with the Mustangs as the senior had a slew of offensive rebounds and putback lay-ins to either keep the Dragons in front or on pace with SMSU.
With the score tied at 72 points with less than two minutes remaining, Zimmer was fouled on a three-point attempt. The senior made two of three free throws to put the Dragons in front by a score. However, Southwest Minnesota State would continue to answer on the other end. Zimmer had another strong performance for the Dragons, scoring 15 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. All this and Zimmer played a majority of the second half (and overtime) with four fouls.
Sanchez scored again with just over a minute remaining to give the Dragons another lead, 76-74. The Mustangs would tie the game with a pair of free throws with 60 seconds left in regulation. Both squads had the opportunity to win the contest, but could not convert on anything. The teams entered an overtime period and the Dragons stayed alive despite an abysmal shooting half, making just 11 of 37 attempts. Luckily, MSUM made 10 of 12 free throws to offer up some points.
In the extra session, MSUM righted their shooting woes, making five of seven attempts. Sanchez would score his 18th point of the game with just under two minutes remaining in overtime to put MSUM up 86-82. SMSU would once again respond with a mini 4-0 run to tie the game at 86 with 38 seconds remaining. The Dragons would miss an opportunity to take the lead on the other end and would foul the Mustangs on the ensuing possession. Southwest Minnesota State would split the free throw pair, leading 87-86 with under ten seconds remaining.
Coming out of a timeout,
Jacob Beeninga motored down the floor in search of the game-winning bucket. The junior point guard dribbled for a few seconds and was able to get some separation from his defender to pull up for jumper from the free throw line. Beeninga's shot found the net and would put the Dragons up 88-87 with under three seconds remaining. Southwest Minnesota State would be unable to answer as MSUM earned a hard-fought win in front of raucous Nemzek Fieldhouse crowd.
Steve d'Eustachio's
Prior to tonight's win, the last time the Dragons won a home NSIC overtime game was a 95-94 NSIC North-clinching triumph on February 22, 2014.
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Up Next
The Dragons (15-0, 9-0 NSIC) take on Sioux Falls tomorrow afternoon with tipoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
