BISMARCK, N.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead men's basketball was bested on the road against the University of Mary on Saturday. The Marauders defeated the Dragons, 96-90.
Some strong shot making from both teams opened up a fast-paced first six minutes of action.
Sam Hastreiter,
Dominic Gooden and
Isa El-Amin would knock down threes for Moorhead, who led 15-14. The teams shot a combined 12 of 22 from the floor in the early stages as the Marauders also knocked in two triples. Mary would use strong defense and continued hot shooting to lead 21-15. The Marauders forced four Dragon turnovers through nine minutes of play.
As the Dragons went cold from the field, the home team would continue to take advantage. With just over nine minutes to play in the first half, UMary led 29-17 with five made three-pointers. The Dragons were held without a field goal for nearly five minutes before
Rodrick Payne broke the dry spell.
Sam Hondl would see a strong stretch of play, scoring five straight points to get MSUM within single digits.
The Marauder's fullcourt press would continue to throw the Dragons out of rhythm. UMary led 49-38 at the half behind eight made three-pointers and nine forced turnovers. Gooden led the Dragons with 11 points while Hondl scored seven. The Marauders would create extra possessions thanks to 10 offensive rebounds.
El-Amin would quickly spark the Dragons in the second half, scoring five straight to pull the Dragons within seven points. Hastreiter would knock down a transition three, followed by a pull-up from Gooden and Moorhead was back within one point. The 12-0 run forced a Marauder timeout not even five minutes into the half.
While the Marauders would rebuild their lead back to nine points, Moorhead would swing right back.
Tysen Gerads would convert on an and-one to have the count at 61-57 in favor of the Marauders. Midway through the second half, UMary retained a five-point lead, 68-63. Moorhead would come back within two points not even a minute later, 70-68.
Credit to the Marauders, who never wavered despite the several Dragon bursts. UMary would race in front by six following a rare four-point play. Hastreiter would get the game back within a possession with his fourth three-pointer of the game. The Marauders would jump back in front by eight points with under five minutes to play.
Gooden would convert on a major and-one with under a minute to play to have the Dragons back within two points. El-Amin would earn a steal on the ensuing Marauder possession with Hastreiter getting a great look to take the lead. However, the senior's shot missed slightly long. The Marauders would use extra possessions to secure the game, winning 96-90. UMary pulled down 20 offensive rebounds in the win.
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The Dragons (7-4, 4-1 NSIC) prepare for home meetings with Northern State and Jamestown next week.
