SPEARFISH, S.D. – Fourth-ranked MSU Moorhead men's basketball is 4-0 after a 67-61 win over South Dakota Mines.
Scoring would come at a premium in the first half as the teams would combine for just six points through four minutes of play.
Jacob Jennissen would help MSUM out early, scoring two baskets to help the Dragons lead, 4-2. Both squads would begin to settle in from there as a dunk from freshman
Shaun Wysocki would put the score at 13-10 in favor of MSUM.
With just over eight minutes to play in the first half, MSUM would jump out on a 10-0 scoring run to lead 23-12.
Jacob Beeninga would ignite MSUM with a triple, followed by baskets from Jennissen,
Logan Kinsey and another three from
Sam Hastreiter.
Levi Birkholz would score the final five points of the half for MSUM as the Dragons led, 29-24.
While the team's shooting percentages were above average, it was turnovers that marred any offensive rhythm. Each squad had seven turnovers through 20 minutes. MSUM would set itself apart with their three long range shots in the frame. Jennissen led the Dragons with six points.
Beeninga would drain a three at the beginning of the second half to jolt MSUM and push the lead to eight points. From there, it was Hastreiter who got hot for the Dragons, burying a pair of triples to snuff out a potential Hardrocker run. The junior would score again to give him his eighth point in just over three minutes. Birkholz would score to give MSUM's its largest cushion of 11 points.
With just over 10 minutes to play in the contest,
Adam Jenkins would use the most of his minutes, scoring on back-to-back Dragon trips. South Dakota Mines would continue to score on the other end, but so did MSUM. A
Shaun Wysocki basket kept MSUM up eight points with seven minutes to go. The Hardrockers would pull closer with under five minutes, as a few missed chances from MSUM at the free throw line kept the door open. South Dakota Mines would come to within two points after a triple, their second of the game.
Credit to MSUM, who was not wavered by the near comeback, but merely composed offensively. The veteran Beeninga would score on the ensuing Dragon possession, followed by a jumper from Kinsey. Beeninga would score again with under three minutes to play to build the Dragon lead back to six points. Down the stretch, MSUM would hold South Dakota Mines to one of four shooting while turning the Hardrockers over once on a steal from Benninga. The late defensive firmness elevated the Dragons, 67-61.
Both teams shot over 50 percent for the game with MSUM shooting an incredible 73.6 percent clip in the second half (14-19). Four Dragons ended the game in double figures, led by Beeninga with 16 points to go along with six assists. The difference came on defense and on the glass for the Dragons. MSUM held a plus-11 mark on the boards, including snaring 13 offensive rebounds. The Hardrockers finished the game with just 21 total rebounds.
Top Dragons
Up Next
MSUM (4-0) will now prepare for the NSIC-GLIAC Challenge which will take place in Duluth, Minn. The Dragons will take on Northern Michigan on Friday at 4 p.m.
