MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead men's basketball will look towards a pair of massive NSIC contests this week at home. The Dragons battle 12th-ranked Minot State on Friday at 7:30 p.m. before taking on Minnesota Crookston on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Fans can listen to the game against the Golden Eagles on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with 'Big Game' James McCarty on the call.
Matchup History...The Dragons have won the last five games against Minot State dating back to the 2021-22 season. In total, MSUM has won nine of the last 10 meetings with the Beavers. Each of the last three matchups between the two programs has been within one possession. The Dragons will enter Saturday with an eight-game winning streak over Minnesota Crookston, dating back to the 2020-21 season. The last time the Golden Eagles defeated the Dragons was on January 11, 2020. Since the 2008-09 season, MSUM has won 26 of 32 matchups with Minnesota Crookston.
Last Time Out...The Dragons moved to 4-0 in the NSIC after wins over St. Cloud State and Bemidji State.
Jacob Beeninga scored 33 points for the Dragons against the Huskies, making 14 of 16 foul shots. Against the Beavers on Saturday,
Logan Kinsey led MSUM with 25 points and eight rebounds. Beeninga added 20 points in the win.
What The Pollsters Say...The Dragons remained idle in the NABC rankings, sitting at number six in the nation behind 307 points. Nova Southeastern remained in the top spot of the poll with 398 points and 15 first-place votes. The Dragons have not been outside the NABC Top-25 since the week of December 26, 2022.
Beeninga Noted...Senior guard
Jacob Beeninga was named to the NSIC 'Shining Five' after averaging an NSIC-best 26.5 points per game for the Dragons along with 3.5 rebounds, two assists and 1.5 steals. Beeninga poured in 33 points against St. Cloud State on Friday before scoring 20 points against Bemidji State. The senior has four career games of 30 points or more. Beeninga's career high is 36 points set on January 14, 2023, against Sioux Falls.
Kinsey Remains Steady...Junior forward
Logan Kinsey has continued to look consistent on offense. Kinsey scored 25 points against Bemidji State on Saturday to go along with eight rebounds and a pair of steals. Kinsey has had four games of 20 or more points so far this season.
Hastreiter On A Heater...Junior sharpshooter
Sam Hastreiter has found his rhythm over the last four games for MSUM. Hastreiter connected on five long range shots last weekend at a 55.5 percent success rate. Since NSIC play began, Hastreiter is shooting 53.3 percent from long range and is averaging nearly 10 points per game.
Outglassing The Opposition...In four NSIC games this season, MSUM holds a plus-27 rebounding advantage. Last weekend alone, the Dragons had a plus-16 advantage on the glass against the Huskies and Beavers. On the season, MSUM holds the second-highest rebounding margin in the NSIC (plus-7.7).
Quick Scout...Top to bottom, Minot State has been the NSIC's top team, both statistically and in the standings. The Beavers are led by junior big man Caleb Van De Griend, who averages 17.8 points and 11.2 rebounds a game. Minot State offers up three other players with double figure scoring averages as well. Minnesota Crookston will move at the pace of guard Reid Grant, who scores 15 points a game.
Tim Bergstraser is in his third season as MSUM's head men's basketball coach.
