ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Sixth-ranked MSU Moorhead men's basketball escaped a late rally from St. Cloud State in NSIC action Friday night. The Dragon defense stood tall on the final possession to clinch a 75-73 victory.
Both teams would trade baskets through the first five minutes with the Huskies holding a small lead. MSUM would grab its first lead of the contest on a lay-up from
Shaun Wysocki, putting the Dragons up 10-8.
Jacob Beeninga would get rolling shortly thereafter, scoring five straight points for MSUM.
Beeninga would continue to dominate the Dragon offense, guiding MSUM to a 23-17 lead with just over 10 minutes to play in the first half. The Dragons would lead by as many as seven points before St. Cloud State bounced back. A 9-0 run from the Huskies helped give them a 30-27 lead with just over five minutes to play. By that point of the half, four of MSUM's five starters had accumulated two fouls.
It was again Beeninga who willed the Dragons to a lead (34-32), scoring six straight points. Before the break, Wysocki would convert on an and-one to put MSUM back up by one point, 39-38. St. Cloud State would score as time was expiring to carry a 40-39 lead into the locker room. Beeninga was in rarified form in the first 20 minutes, scoring 25 points on seven of 11 shooting. The senior also made all eight of his foul shot attempts.
The Dragons would come out of the locker room with renewed energy and effort on both ends. After
Sam Hastreiter missed a three-pointer, Wysocki would grab the offensive rebound and immediately pass it back to Hastreiter. Not one to miss twice, Hastreiter found all net on the ensuing attempt. The make gave the Dragons the lead back, 45-42.
MSUM's lead would sit at six points (53-47) nearing the midway point of the half. Hastreiter and Beeninga converted on six foul shots to keep the Dragons in front. The slowing of the pace worked to MSUM's favor, as the Dragons would move in front by 10 points with less than 10 minutes to play. The 13-3 run was paced, in part, by a patented turnaround jumper from
Logan Kinsey.
St. Cloud State would claw its way back into the game as the Huskies would come as close as four points with under five minutes to play. Following a Dragon miss, it was again Wysocki making an effort play for an offensive rebound. Wysocki would launch another pass to Hastreiter, who cashed home another needed three for MSUM.
Credit to the Huskies, who seemingly weathered every storm, cutting the Dragon lead to one possession with under two minutes to play. St. Cloud State would trail by one with 30 seconds remaining as free throws would become a deciding factor. Although the Dragons were sluggish down the stretch from the charity stripe, a make from
Eddie Beeninga with six seconds left would have the Dragons up two points (75-73).
The score would remain the same as time expired as it was the younger Beeninga who made a stellar defensive effort to turn away SCSU's final attempt. MSUM would hang on in thrilling fashion, 75-73. The elder Beeninga finished the contest with 33 points.
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MSUM (8-1, 3-0 NSIC) returns to the hardwood tomorrow evening for a 5:30 p.m. game against Bemidji State.
