MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Fifth-ranked MSU Moorhead men's basketball utilized a career-high 22 points from
Jamir Price to help lift the Dragons over Concordia, St. Paul, 79-72.
MSUM would race out to a 16-11 behind a combined nine points from
Jamir Price and
Dane Zimmer. However, the Dragons would continue to struggle from long range, marking a one of nine clip through the first 10 minutes of play. Concordia, St. Paul would only make one of six attempts from deep in the early stages as the Dragons would force five Golden Bear turnovers in the same stretch. Never the less, MSUM would be unable to create much separation from the Golden Bears as the half wore on. The Dragons led 24-21 with just under five minutes left as a pair of baskets from
Ja'Kair Sanchez kept MSUM in front.
By half's end, MSUM led 37-32 despite shooting two of 13 from long range in the period. Although the Dragons struggled from long range, they were successful on shot attempts inside the arc, making 44.4 percent of their attempts overall. Price and Zimmer led the way for MSUM in frame, scoring nine points apiece with Zimmer grabbing seven rebounds as well. The Golden Bears would keep pace thanks to a 45.2 percent conversion rate on their shots.
The Dragon lead would remain at four points with just under 15 minutes left in the contest. Both teams began the second half shooting three of nine from the field with
Jacob Beeninga connecting on and-one to keep the momentum with MSUM. The Dragon defense would remain stingy as well, forcing nine Golden Bear turnovers to that point in the game.
That defensive effort would translate to some effective offense for MSUM, who built an 11-point advantage with just over nine minutes remaining. The Dragons were aggressive going to the rim and would get Concordia, St. Paul in the bonus early in the half. Seven made free throws in the first 10 minutes of play provided some needed points for MSUM. This included a seven-point flurry from Price, which was headlined by a much-needed three-pointer from the Rock Island, Ill. native. MSUM would possess its largest lead of the game shortly thereafter, 64-51. The Dragons had Nemzek Fieldhouse rocking thanks to massive slam dunks from
Jacob Jennissen and
Logan Kinsey in that stretch of play.
Concordia, St. Paul would bring that deficit to within single digits with just over four minutes remaining (69-60). Yet, the Golden Bears just did not have consistent answer when attempting to solve Price. The junior would drive through the lane and make some difficult turnaround floaters and jumpers to keep the Dragon offense active. Concordia, St. Paul would dwindle the lead to as little as four points with under three minutes remaining, but could not find defensive stops on the other end. The Dragons would close the game down at the free throw line, making three of four from the charity stripe down the stretch. Beeninga would put the dagger in with under a minute remaining with a pull-up jumper from the right wing.
MSUM would win 79-72 despite the Dragons shooting four of 20 from long range in the game (41.9 percent overall). The Dragons would make 16 of 21 free throw attempts including a 10 of 13 mark in the second half. Price finished with a career-high 22 points on 52.6 percent shooting and added in six rebounds and four steals.
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
Since the beginning of the 2020-21 season, the Dragons have now won 21 of their last 26 games against Minnesota-based schools.
Top Dragons
Up Next
MSUM (17-1, 11-1 NSIC) finds themselves on the road next weekend for dates with Winona State and Minnesota State. The weekend begins with the Warriors at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 26.
