FARGO, N.D. – The Red River Valley community enjoyed a wallop of an exhibition game on Wednesday evening between MSU Moorhead and North Dakota State. The Dragons led for 35 minutes, but eventually fell to the Bison, 67-63, in a tournament-esque atmosphere inside SCHEELS Center.
Defense would allow MSUM to build a 16-10 advantage near the midway point of the first half.
JaMir Price would open the contest with seven points as MSUM asserted itself on both ends. The Dragons seemingly came up with every loose ball in hopes of gaining the momentum early. The six-point advantage came behind a 58.3 field goal percentage, including corner threes from Price and
Jacob Beeninga.
It was Beeninga who truly set the tone defensively for the Dragons, working through NDSU's screen-heavy offense. The senior had three steals through 10 minutes of play to go along with seven points. An and-one for
Logan Kinsey on former NSIC foe Jacksen Moni put the Dragons up 19-12.
Jacob Jennissen would send a Bison hookshot back on the ensuing possession to keep MSUM humming on defense.
With under six minutes to play, MSUM had forced seven Bison turnovers, translating to a 21-12 Dragon lead. North Dakota State had only shot 31.3 percent from the field as MSUM was keen on not allowing easy looks. Former Bison
Sam Hastreiter would glide through the lane for his first basket as a Dragon to create the nine-point advantage. Hastreiter would strike again later, burying MSUM's third triple of the half to make the lead 12 points.
Beeninga would convert on a nifty reverse lay-in, followed by a three from Kinsey and MSUM led, 29-16. With under three minutes to go in the first half, Beeninga would splice through the lane and deliver a pass to Price, who swished home MSUM's fifth three of the frame. At the break, MSUM led 34-25 as they would force nine Bison turnovers. Price led the Dragons with 12 first-half points while Beeninga added nine and Kinsey eight. The Dragons converted on 50 percent of their shot attempts.
It was North Dakota State who would buckle down a bit to start the second half, using a 6-0 run to pull within four points (39-35). Beeninga would break the Bison burst with a free throw line jumper. Out of the media timeout, North Dakota State would cut the Dragon lead to two points as the Bison size advantage seemed to take effect. After NDSU tied the game,
Levi Birkholz's first basket as a Dragon helped put MSUM back in front, 43-41.
North Dakota State would enter the bonus with just under 12 minutes to play as MSUM led 49-45. Midway through the half, the Bison were shooting an improved 61.5 percent mark from the floor, but Beeninga and Birkholz continued to sink baskets for the Dragons. With MSUM leading by one point, Beeninga would launch a deep three that clanged in, giving the Dragons a needed jolt.
Following the triple from the senior, Hastreiter would find himself wide open underneath the basket. The Lincoln, Neb., native converted on a lay-in while being fouled. The ensuing free throw moved the Dragons in front by seven points (59-52) with under eight minutes to play. On the next Bison possession, Kinsey would send a North Dakota State attempt into the second row, helping the Dragons force a shot clock violation. To that point, it was MSUM's 15
th forced turnover of the game.
With just over three minutes to play in the game, North Dakota State would take its first lead since early in the first half. Trailing 62-61, Price would coast through the lane and score, giving the lead back to MSUM, 63-62. The Bison would tie the game and would eventually take the lead on free throws, 64-63, with 45 seconds left.
MSUM would have a good look on a Beeninga three, but the shot would miss right. North Dakota State would extend its lead to three points (66-63) with 15 seconds left. The Dragons would not be able to convert on the other end as the Bison would narrowly hang on, 67-63.
The Dragons held the lead for 35 minutes of the contest.
Top Dragons
Up Next
MSUM will open the regular season on Friday, November 8 as part of the Regional Challenge in Kansas City, Mo. The Dragons will take on the Reddies of Henderson State to open the challenge at 7 p.m.
