SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – MSU Moorhead men's basketball dropped a closely contested game with Sioux Falls on Saturday evening. The Coo topped the Dragons, 81-76. 
 
MSUM's offense responded following a tough night on Friday, jumping out to a 13-8 lead. Jacob Jennissen scored a pair of baskets while Carson Johnson led the Dragons with five early points. Johnson converted on an and-one and had a nice, fadeaway fall through. 
 
Johnson and Jennissen would only continue to pace MSUM's offense, scoring 17 of the first 23 points for the Dragons. Midway through the half, the teams would be tied at 23 points as Johnson led with nine points. Jennissen would convert an and-one, followed by a triple from Sam Hastreiter, and the Dragons led 29-23, forcing a USF timeout. 
 
Sioux Falls would rally back to eventually tie the contest at 35 points late in the half. The Cougars scored with under 20 seconds to play to carry a 37-35 lead into the locker room. Jennissen led MSUM with 13 points through 20 minutes of play. 
 
The teams would remain gridlocked early in the second half as a dunk from Logan Kinsey looked to spark the Dragons. While Sioux Falls would jump out on a 5-0 run from there, MSUM would answer right back after another three from Hastreiter, making the score 55-54 in favor of USF. With just over seven minutes to play, Sioux Falls would surge forward on a 7-2 run to lead 65-58. 
 
Sioux Falls would continue to lead by six points with under five minutes to play. Kinsey nailed a huge three to snap a Dragon cold spell. A successful jump hook from Jennissen would bring MSUM to within four points with under three minutes to go. Johnson would drain a pullup jumper to get the game within one possession with 90 seconds to play. 
 
Although the Dragons were even with the Cougars the rest of the way, Sioux Falls converted at the foul line to seal the game. The Cougars won 81-76 as Johnson netted a new career-best of 27 points. Jennissen scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds
 
Top Dragons

• Carson Johnson: 27 points, three assists
• Jacob Jennissen: 20 points, 10 rebounds
• Logan Kinsey: 15 points, eight rebounds
• Sam Hastreiter: 10 points, four rebounds, four assists

 
Up Next
 
MSUM (10-6, 5-5 NSIC) will return to the road next weekend for tilts against Minnesota State and Winona State. Action begins against the Mavericks on Friday at 5:30 p.m.