KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- MSU Moorhead used efficient free throw shooting and stout situational defense to muscle past Henderson State in the 2024-25 season opener. The fourth-ranked Dragons defeated the Reddies, 71-66.
Henderson State would rush out to a 6-0 lead early in the first half before
Logan Kinsey broke the scoring run. MSUM would remain within five points near the midway point of the half after five points from
Jacob Beeninga. Trailing 16-11, Kinsey would bury a three-pointer to pull the score to within two.
The Reddies would respond to remain in control of the scoreboard, leading by eight with just under seven minutes to play. MSUM put together a needed 4-0 burst behind baskets from Kinsey and
Jacob Jennissen. Beeninga would splash home a triple shortly thereafter to bring Henderson State's lead to one point (26-25).
Shaun Wysocki would score his first points as a Dragon to keep the score within one point.
Beeninga would drill his third three of the half to make the count, 31-30. MSUM would take its first lead of the contest on a pair of free throws from
JaMir Price. Kinsey would earn a steal followed by an and-one to push the Dragon lead to four. The junior would score again to give MSUM its largest lead of the half in seven points (40-33). At the break, the Dragons led 40-35.
Kinsey led the Dragons with 15 points while Beeninga added 11 points. MSUM was consistent with a 45.2 percent success rate from the floor with a near identical clip from three. The Dragons also made eight of nine free throw attempts. MSUM limited Henderson State to a two of 12 clip from long range in the first half.
MSUM would stave an early burst from the Reddies thanks to baskets from Jennissen and Price to begin the second half. While Henderson State would eventually even the count at 44, Beeninga would hit a big three to put MSUM right back in front. A slam from Kinsey would put the Dragons back up four (49-45). It was the freshman Wysocki who scored four straight points to give MSUM a 55-49 lead with under 12 minutes to play.
Midway through the half, MSUM led 57-52 as Henderson State limited MSUM without a point for over two minutes. Out of a media timeout, Beeninga would provide a needed turnaround jumper to snap the cold spell. With just over five minutes remaining, MSUM led 63-56 after
Adam Jenkins scored his first collegiate points.
The Reddies would pull to within two points (63-61) nearly a minute later after a 5-0 run. Henderson State would force five straight Dragon turnovers in the stretch and would regain the lead, 64-63, with just over three minutes to go. Beeninga would give the Dragons the lead once more on a pair of free throws.
Leading by one point with under a minute to play, Kinsey connected on a pull-up jumper to gain a three-point cushion. MSUM would hold firm on the ensuing defensive possession with Beeninga hitting free throws to put the Dragons up five. While the Reddies would make it a one possession game with three seconds to play (69-66), Beeninga would put the game out of reach with two more free throws.
Beeninga scored a game-high 24 points while Kinsey netted 21 points on 61.5 percent shooting. MSUM made 18 of 20 free throw attempts in the victory.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
Tonight's win marked the first time the Dragons have won three straight season-opening games since they won 11 straight beginning with their 107-46 nailbiter over Crossroads College Nov. 15, 2004, through their season-starting 75-66 win at Northwest Missouri State on Nov. 14, 2014. It also marked
Spenser Bland's 100
th victory (100-42) as a Dragon assistant bench boss.
Up Next
The Dragons (1-0) have a day off tomorrow before wrapping play in Kansas City on Sunday against Arkansas-Monticello. Tipoff is slated for noon.
