MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead men's basketball used a resounding comeback, and clutch baskets from freshman
Isa El-Amin to muscle past (RV) Minnesota Duluth on Saturday. El-Amin drilled a three-pointer with four seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Dragons to a 92-91 victory.
Things would not go according to plan for Moorhead through the first 10 minutes of action, which the Bulldogs dominated on both ends. Minnesota Duluth would open up a nine-point lead five minutes into the game before a three from
Landin Hacker balanced out the Bulldog onslaught. The Dragon momentum was short-lived, however, as the Bulldogs would lead by 17 points midway through the first half. In the early stages, Moorhead struggled to combat Minnesota Duluth's physicality as the visitors led by 21 points with under eight minutes to go in the first half.
Needing a spark, Moorhead found it late in the first half with freshman
Isa El-Amin and junior
Levi Birkholz, who was electric off the bench all evening. A driving basket from Birkholz helped spark the Dragons with El-Amin cashing a three-pointer shortly thereafter.
Tysen Gerads would swish home a three of his own to whittle the Bulldog lead down to 12 points with just over two minutes to play. Before the end of the half, El-Amin would score, followed by a triple from Birkholz to bring Moorhead within single digits. MSUM trailed by nine points at the break (45-36) led by nine points each from El-Amin and Gerads.
Moorhead would keep pace into the second half, using the late momentum from the first half to get within five points following a triple from
Sam Hastreiter. The tides of the game would turn five minutes into the second half as Bulldog head coach Justin Wieck would receive a technical foul. Following the foul, Moorhead would cut the deficit to six points after another big three-pointer from Birkholz. The Lake Mills, Wis., native would continue to attack on offense, scoring on the ensuing Dragon possession to bring MSUM within a point. Almost on cue, El-Amin would knock down another three-pointer to provide the Dragons their first lead of the contest, thus erasing the 21-point deficit from the first half.
The Dragons would use that momentum, eventually leading by six points after a tip-in slam from
Rodrick Payne. Minnesota Duluth would rally back to take a three-point lead (70-67) with just over five minutes to go in regulation. Down the stretch, both teams would trade free throws with the squads tied at 76 points with 22 seconds to play. Bulldog star guard Caleb Siwek would drill an impressive step back triple to put Minnesota Duluth back in front, 79-76. In regulation's closing moments, it was the freshman El-Amin who made the first of two massive shots. El-Amin would bury a triple with five seconds remaining to even the count again, this time at 79 points. Minnesota Duluth's final possession would come up empty, sending the game into an extra session.
In overtime, it was Birkholz who provided the necessary offense for Moorhead, scoring the team's first six points. However, Minnesota Duluth would continue to answer, leading by four points with 13 seconds remaining. El-Amin would get a quick bucket for MSUM to bring the score to 90-88 in favor of the Bulldogs. Moorhead would opt to foul from there with Siwek making only one of two attempts. Birkholz would grab the rebound a streak downcourt, eventually drawing a foul with seven seconds to play. Birkholz would make the first attempt, but would miss the second attempt with Gerads scrapping for the offensive rebound. Gerads showcased his pure presence of mind, delivering a pass to El-Amin who caught the ball in rhythm at the top of the three-point line.
Like clockwork, El-Amin delivered again, burying the triple with 4.4 seconds remaining and putting Moorhead back in front by one point. Minnesota Duluth's final gasp fell short as the Dragons secured the almost improbable victory. El-Amin scored a career-best 28 points with six rebounds and four assists. Birkholz also turned in a career day, scoring 19 points with five rebounds.
Top Dragons
Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game
The 21-point comeback tonight was the largest since Mike Olson's Dragons came back from 20 down to defeat Minnesota Morris on the road 73-72 on January 3, 2000.
Up Next
MSUM (6-3, 3-0 NSIC) looks towards road conference matchups with Minot State and UMary next week. The Dragons begin the slate with the Beavers on Thursday, December 11 at 5:30 p.m.
