BISMARCK, N.D. – MSU Moorhead center
Jacob Jennissen scored a career-best 15 points on an unblemished shooting night as the Dragons charged over the University of Mary, 83-64 on Saturday evening.
Jacob Jennissen would help pace the Dragons early as the 7-foot-1 center drained a three-pointer followed by a lay-in to give MSUM a 9-8 advantage. On the defensive end, the Dragons would hold Mary to just three of 13 shooting from the floor through seven minutes of action. Baskets from
Dane Zimmer and
Eddie Beeninga would keep the Dragons in front 23-16 midway through the half.
The younger Beeninga would connect on a three-pointer and another lay-in to put the Dragons up 12, 28-16. MSUM had held the Marauders scoreless for over seven minutes with Mary breaking the draught with just under five minutes remaining. Eventually, MSUM would hold a 13-point lead (40-27) at the break after
Logan Kinsey nailed a corner three-pointer with time expiring in the half. Kinsey had six points and four rebounds in the first half.
The Dragons shot 51.7 percent from the floor in the half and 50 percent from deep. Beeninga led the way with nine points as Jennissen and
Ja'Kair Sanchez added in seven points each.
MSUM would score eight quick points to start the second half as
JaMir Price, Jennissen and Zimmer got in on the fun. The flurry stretched the Dragon lead to 17 points (48-31) with just over 17 minutes remaining. Jennissen would earn a thunderous slam off a dime from Zimmer to pick up his 13
th point of the contest. To that point, Jennissen was a flawless six of six from the field.
The Dragons would build a 60-35 lead with just over 13 minutes left after Price drilled a three-pointer. Midway through the second half, MSUM led 68-39 behind a 70.6 percent clip from the field in the period.
Dane Zimmer would score his 10
th point of the game with just over eight to go to keep the Dragon lead at 30 points. The basket gave Zimmer a casual 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Mary would go on a 15-0 run shortly thereafter to cut into the deficit with MSUM leading 73-56. The Dragons would break the Marauder run with a free throw from
Logan Kinsey with just over four minutes left. Credit needs to be given to the home squad as they continued to compete throughout as MSUM took its foot off the gas to a certain degree late in the frame.
MSUM would refocus in the final two minutes as
Jacob Beeninga would bank in a swooping hook shot to push the Dragon lead back up to 19 points. The Dragons would pick up their 21
st win of the year with a final score of 83-64. Jenniseen finished with a game-high 15 points on seven of seven shooting from the field.
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The Dragons (21-3, 15-3) will now prepare for a Friday night home matchup with Wayne State which begins at 7:30 p.m. on February 16.
