MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead men's basketball needed all of its brawn and muscle as the Dragons defeated Wayne State College, 72-61, in a physical bout inside Nemzek Fieldhouse.
For MSUM, it is their 14th consecutive win over the Wildcats dating back to February 15, 2014.
Both offenses would struggle out of the gate as MSUM held Wayne State to zero for seven shooting in the first five minutes. The Dragons were not particularly great either, making one of seven attempts. MSUM would be able to take a 6-0 lead thanks to free throw makes from
Logan Kinsey and
Dane Zimmer. The home team would carry and eight-point advantage midway through the first period behind six points from Zimmer, who was in a scoring mood all evening.
The Dragons would remain in front by seven points late in the half despite MSUM shooting a harsh seven of 24 from the floor to that point. This included a zero for seven mark from long distance. On the defensive end, MSUM would hold their lead thanks to the Wildcats shooting seven of 23 from the floor. By the intermission, the Dragons would push in front by nine points, 33-24, as Zimmer led MSUM with 11 points.
JaMir Price added in 10 for the Dragons, who shot just 35.7 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes. MSUM would connect on 13 of 14 free throw attempts in the half.
Through the first five minutes of play in the second half, the Dragons had stretched their lead to 14 points as Price scored a quick four points to begin the frame. MSUM would improve their shooting in the flurry, making 57.1 of their attempts (4-7). However, Wayne State would continue to battle throughout the 40 minutes and would eventually trim that lead down to five points midway through the final half. The Wildcats made 11 of 18 shots through 11 minutes of play in the half, including three made three-pointers. On the flipside, MSUM had only made one three-pointer on 13 attempts.
Wayne State would cut the Dragons lead to as little as one point late in the half before the Dragons led by three again thanks to
Jacob Beeninga's touch at the free throw line. MSUM would put the game away down the stretch, connecting on six straight free throws from Beeninga,
Ja'Kair Sanchez and Price. The Dragons would take the game 72-61. Price led MSUM with 20 points, pouring in 10 in the final 20 minutes followed by a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double from Zimmer. Heading into tomorrow's contest against Augustana, Zimmer is 13 rebounds short of 1,000 for his Dragon career.
The Dragons did not trail the entire game.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
Tonight marked the first two-game regular season sweep of the Wildcats in 21 years. Current Dragon webcaster Jared Bledsoe paced the Dragons to their home victory over Wayne St. with 19 points January 24, 2003.
Up Next
The Dragons (22-3, 16-3 NSIC) returns to the Nemzek Fieldhouse hardwood tomorrow afternoon against Augustana for a 5:30 p.m. tilt.
