MANKATO, Minn. – MSU Moorhead men's basketball would erase a 16-point second half deficit and would regain the lead in the waning moments, but fifth-ranked Minnesota State pulled out an 81-78 win in an NSIC thriller.
MSUM would utilize a balanced attack to open the game as four Dragons scored to build an 8-4 lead. The Dragons took advantage of a cold shooting start for the Mavericks, who connected on just two of their first eight attempts.
Jacob Beeninga would fire MSUM up with a poke away and full dive at center court to retain possession on a steal. In the first eight minutes of play, the Dragons would win every hustle play to keep a rowdy Maverick crowd at bay.
The visiting Dragons would retain a six-point lead midway through the half following a pull-up jumper from
Logan Kinsey. MSUM would lock in defensively and hold Minnesota State to just 10 points on 23.1 percent shooting in that same span. Kinsey would hit a fallaway jumper out of a media timeout to push the lead to eight points. The sophomore and center
Jacob Jennissen would pick up their second fouls shortly thereafter, which forced them to the MSUM bench.
MSUM's foul trouble would open the door for a short Minnesota State burst to put the score at 22-18.
Ja'Kair Sanchez would answer with an offensive rebound and a tough turnaround jumper to keep MSUM up by six points. Minnesota State would claim its first lead of the game as the half waned before Beeninga would connect on a long range shot to give MSUM the lead right back. The Mavericks would even the score at 33 points before the end of the half.
Beeninga led the Dragons with 11 points in the first half as MSUM would struggle from long range again, making just one of eight attempts. Minnesota State would shoot just 35.7 percent in the half but were paced by 18 points from Justin Eagins in the half.
Minnesota State would race out to a 12-2 run to begin the second half to create a 42-35 lead on MSUM. The home team would stretch that lead out to 12 points with just under 15 minutes remaining in the game. MSUM opened the half shooting just three of 15 from the field to MSU's eight for 11 mark. By the midway point of the second half, Minnesota State led 57-44 with MSUM's field goal percentage sitting at 21.7 percent for the half.
With Minnesota State stirring once again, Sanchez would drain a needed triple for MSUM to put the Maverick lead into single digits (61-52). Sanchez would hit back-to-back threes to pull MSUM to within one point with just under five minutes remaining. The shots would erupt the Dragon fan collective inside the Taylor Center while momentarily hushing the Maverick militia.
Sanchez would drive through the lane with less four minutes remaining and find an open
Dane Zimmer who nailed a three to give the Dragons the lead once more. The shot erased a 16-point deficit that was set less than seven minutes prior.
From there, the teams would trade haymakers with Sanchez leading the charge, seemingly scoring every time he touched the rock. Minnesota State led 77-74 with 10.4 seconds remaining and MSUM holding possession. Beeninga would make a pair of free throws to bring the Dragons to within a point again, 77-76. With Minnesota State earning a pair of makes on the other end, Beeninga would find himself at the line again. The junior would make a pair before MSU went one for two on the next possession. While MSUM had the opportunity to take the final shot, they unfortunately turned the ball over with 1.9 seconds remaining. The Dragons had one last chance, but a shot to tie from
Logan Kinsey narrowly missed.
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MSUM (17-3, 11-3 NSIC) eyes a Tuesday night tilt with Minnesota Crookston next with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
