PITTSBURG, Kan. – Minnesota State Moorhead men's basketball fell victim to a potent Washburn outfit on Friday evening. The Dragons dropped the regular season opener to the second-ranked Ichabods, 95-63.
The Dragons would be the first to score as true freshman
Isa El-Amin got the Moorhead offense going. El-Amin would score the game's first five points to provide a cushion early. Another triple from
Dominic Gooden would have the Dragons in front 8-4 with 16 minutes to play in the first half. The teams would trade baskets as the half reached a midway point with
Tysen Gerads and
Sam Hastreiter providing needed baskets. The teams would be tied at 19 points with just under 10 minutes to go in the first half.
It was the Ichabods who would make the game's first big run, building a 29-21 lead before a three from
Eddie Beeninga snapped the streak. Moorhead would get back to within five points before Washburn began building onto their lead once more. With just under four minutes to play in the half, the Ichabods led by 10 points.
Sam Hondl would score his first collegiate points just before the half to make the Dragon deficit eight points. At the break, Moorhead trailed 42-33 as El-Amin scored nine points with Gooden adding seven.
Washburn would surge in the second half, opening up a 21-point lead within the first four minutes of play. Midway through the second half, the Ichabods would lead 75-48 as the Dragons struggled to find a rhythm offensively. Through nearly 15 minutes of play in the second half, Washburn had only missed one field goal attempt, going 19 of 20 from the floor to that point. That included seven made three-pointers.
Ultimately, the Ichabods hot shooting proved too much for the Dragons as Washburn claimed the game, 95-63. Gooden led the Dragons with 16 points while El-Amin added in 14. Washburn shot 80 percent from the field in the second half.
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Up Next
Moorhead (0-1) concludes play at the Regional Challenge tomorrow evening in a 7 p.m. tilt with host Pitt State.
