MINOT, N.D. – A late offensive push helped lift Minnesota State Moorhead men's basketball in NSIC action on Thursday evening. The Dragons collected a hard-earned road win over Minot State, 90-79.
Five early points from
Kabine Kaba helped the Dragons jump out to a 10-4 lead to begin the game. Kaba and
Sam Hastreiter each nailed three-pointers to jolt Moorhead early. After a lay-in from
Adam Jenkins, the Dragons held a three-point advantage 10 minutes into the first half. Hastreiter would take over from there, keeping MSUM in front by six with the senior scoring six straight points. Minot State would gain control of the scoreboard with just over five minutes to play, leading by one.
The Beavers would continue to own the one-point lead before a triple from
Dominic Gooden pushed Moorhead back in front by two points. MSUM would hold a lead as large as four points throughout the remainder of the half with the Dragons leading by three at the break. A patented late basket from Hastreiter provided Moorhead momentum heading into the locker room. Hastreiter scored 13 points in the first half on 80 percent shooting while Gooden added nine. Kaba turned in six points with eight rebounds through the first 20 minutes.
MSUM would be unable to take advantage of some solid looks to open the second half of play. Moorhead would begin the half shooting just two of nine from the floor with the Dragons creating extra possessions with offensive rebounds. Luckily for MSUM, they would do a good job of limiting the Beavers to one possession, leading 50-48 five minutes into the half.
Levi Birkholz would knock down a needed triple to have MSUM up 57-54 with 12 minutes to go in the contest.
Hastreiter would continue to lead the Dragon offense midway through the half. The senior drilled a three and would later convert on a tough driving basket to have Moorhead up by five points. With eight minutes to play, Hastreiter had a game-high 18 points. Gooden would knock down a tough stepback triple to keep Moorhead in front by five with just over five minutes to go. Birkholz would then knock down another three to create a six-point cushion for the Dragons.
Minot State would get the count to within a point as time ticked away before
Rodrick Payne converted on a massive and-one. The senior post did his best guard impression, driving from the top of the key to score at the rim while being fouled. Payne continued his stretch of stellar play, finding
Tysen Gerads on a backdoor cut for an easy lay-in. The late surge, led by Payne on offense and Kaba on defense, helped the Dragons post an eight-point advantage with 90 seconds to play.
Gooden would once again provide the dagger as the Dragons did a masterful job of taking time off the clock. Moorhead would let the shot clock tick down before Gooden went to work, sinking a deep triple to put MSUM up by nine points. MSUM would win the game 90-79 with Hastreiter scoring 18 points. Gooden added 15 points while both Payne and Kaba scored 11. Kaba played with reckless abandon all evening, adding 14 rebounds for a double-double.
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MSUM (7-3, 4-0 NSIC) has an NSIC road matchup with the University of Mary scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
