SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – MSU Moorhead men's basketball turned in a well-balanced effort with a dazzling performance from
JaMir Price to defeat Sioux Falls, 82-70 on Friday evening.
The Dragons would come out of the gates firing on all cylinders offensively as they would gain a 12-7 advantage.
JaMir Price would drain a three-pointer early to get MSUM going before
Jacob Beeninga began to stir. Beeninga earned a nice driving lay-up followed by a saucy little dime to
Dane Zimmer for an easy two. Before the first media timeout, Beeninga notched a triple to give MSUM the five-point lead. Beeninga opened the game with five points and three assists.
Price would hit his second three of the half not long after to keep MSUM in front 15-11. Price and Beeninga would score in succession to keep the Dragon lead at four points (19-15) midway through the half. MSUM's defense would force six Cougar turnovers through 10 minutes to keep the momentum with the Dragons. Sioux Falls would regain the lead, 24-23, with just over six minutes left before
Eddie Beeninga glided to the rim to put MSUM right back in front.
The elder Beeninga would fire up once more as the Coo continued to match the Dragons. The junior scored a quick five-point flurry to beef up the MSUM advantage. Price would score on a nifty left-hand drive and floater with less than five minutes remaining as the Dragons led 33-27. By halftime, MSUM would lead 39-33 behind a game-high 12 points from Beeninga. Price added in 10 points with
Ja'Kair Sanchez scoring 10 with six made free throws (on six attempts).
MSUM would shoot an improved percentage compared to their prior few games, connecting on 51.7 percent of their shots through 20 minutes. The Dragons would force nine Cougar turnovers at the break and just a one of six mark from three-point range. They led despite Sioux Falls holding a plus-six advantage on the glass.
The Dragons would stretch out their lead to 11 points early in the second half behind baskets from Price, Sanchez, Zimmer and a three from
Logan Kinsey. MSUM opened the half shooting five of eight from the floor. Price would nail a three with just under 15 minutes remaining to put MSUM back up 11. The Cougars would employ a zone defense out of the media timeout, which Price sliced through and scored on immediately.
By the midway point of the half, MSUM remained in front by 11 points as Beeninga and
Jacob Jennissen would add buckets for the Dragons. Sioux Falls would be sharp, shooting 50 percent through 10 minutes of the period, but MSUM had an answer each time. While the Cougars would put the deficit into single digits (64-55), MSUM entered the bonus shortly thereafter. The Dragons would use those to their advantage as Price and Sanchez would convert on four straight attempts.
Dane Zimmer would score six straight points with just under five minutes remaining to keep the Dragons in front by 14 points (78-64). The flurry from the senior would carry MSUM through the latter stages of the contest, leading 12 with less than 90 seconds remaining. The Dragons locked up a big 82-70 win over Sioux Falls, who defeated the Dragons inside Nemzek Fieldhouse on January 13.
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Up Next
MSUM (23-4, 17-4 NSIC) wraps up regular season play against Southwest Minnesota State tomorrow evening beginning at 5:30 p.m.
