BEMIDJI, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead men's basketball surged in the second half behind a monster performance from
Rodrick Payne on Thursday night. The Dragons routed Bemidji State, 90-60.
A clean opening section of basketball commenced as the teams played over six minutes with little to no stoppage. However, both clubs would struggle on offense through those six minutes with Moorhead leading 8-2. The teams began the game shooting a combined four of 15.
Kabine Kaba and
Sam Hastreiter would bury triples for the Dragons to create the six-point cushion. By the midway point of the first half, MSUM led by five following a thunderous slam from
Rodrick Payne.
A returning
Tysen Gerads would swish an open three-pointer just ahead of the six-minute mark to put Moorhead in front by eight points (18-10).
Landin Hacker would drill a three of his own just over a minute later to push the MSUM lead to nine points. Bemidji State would climb back to trail by two with under two minutes to play. At the half, Moorhead led 29-24 thanks to a four-point run from Payne. The senior scored 10 first-half points to lead the Dragons.
An
Isa El-Amin triple would jumpstart the Dragons in the second half. The Dragon lead moved into double figures following a jam from Gerads. Freshman
Sam Hondl delivered a lovely backdoor pass to the streaking sophomore, who slammed with emphasis. Just over five minutes into the second half, Moorhead led 47-33.
The Dragons would explode from there thanks to Payne, El-Amin, Hacker and
Timaris Brown. Hacker and Brown would sink back-to-back jumpers to post a 20-point lead midway through the second half (64-44). For Hacker, it was his fourth three in just 12 minutes of action to that point.
Payne would continue to dominate the Beavers down low, forcing Bemidji State to foul the senior in an effort to contain him. Moorhead would carry a 69-44 lead at the eight-minute mark of the second half.
Adam Jenkins would keep the Dragons up as Moorhead opted for its bench unit in the latter stages.
Soren Anderson would knock in a three-pointer to stretch the Dragon advantage to 26 points (80-54).
The long-awaited return of
Will Kinsey resulted in the junior's first points of the 2025-26 season. Moorhead would collect a 90-60 win behind 18 points and 10 rebounds from Payne. Hacker and El-Amin each scored in double figures while Kaba continued to stuff the box score. The senior turned in a workman's line of three points, 12 rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. Overall, MSUM held a plus-15 advantage on the glass while scoring 40 points in the paint.
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Up Next
MSUM (5-3, 2-0 NSIC) returns home for a conference meeting with Minnesota Duluth which is set to tipoff on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
