MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead men's basketball enters the NCAA Central Region Semifinal on Sunday, March 16 in a matchup with Winona State. Tipoff from Lee Arena in Topeka, Kan., is slated for 5 p.m.
Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Fans can also listen to the game on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with Jace Denman and 'Big Game' James McCarty on the call.
Matchup History...Sunday's tilt will be the fourth meeting between MSUM and Winona State this season. The Dragons have defeated the Warriors in the three prior meetings, most recently in the NSIC Tournament Semifinal on March 3 in a 63-47 result. In total, the Dragons have outscored the Warriors 226-184 (plus-42) in the three matchups this season.
Last Time Out...The Dragons opened the NCAA Central Region Tournament in victory over Fort Hays State on Saturday.
Jacob Jennissen was dominant all afternoon for the Dragons, logging 22 points with 21 rebounds. Jennissen's rebound total is the most by a Dragon since Alex Novak ripped down 21 in a 95-87 win at Winona State on January 15, 2011. The 21 rebounds for Jennissen was only four off the single-game record held by Jerry Barney (1971).
Five For Five...With their NSIC Tournament victory, MSUM qualified for the NCAA Central Region Tournament for the fifth consecutive season. Overall, it is MSUM's ninth appearance in an NCAA Tournament game in the Division II era. Additionally, it is
Tim Bergstraser's third appearance in the NCAA Tournament as head coach in three seasons at the helm.
Dragons On All-NSIC...Junior
Logan Kinsey, freshman
Carson Johnson and junior
Jacob Jennissen were all named to the All-NSIC team on Thursday. Kinsey and Johnson were tabbed as First Team performers while Jennissen was a Second Team honoree. It is the first all-conference honor for all three student-athletes.
Bergy In The Postseason...MSUM head men's basketball coach
Tim Bergstraser will embark on his third NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Throughout his short tenure, Bergstraser as already collected 73 career wins and has seen success in the NSIC Tournament. Bergstraser is 6-1 at the Sanford Pentagon in the NSIC Tournament. In the NCAA Central Region Tournament, Bergstraser is 2-2 after collecting his first national tournament victory against Pittsburg State last season (73-55).
CJ Is Unconscious...Freshman guard
Carson Johnson was lethal throughout the NSIC Tournament. Johnson averaged a staggering 26 points per game in the tournament. More impressively, Johnson connected on 50.9 percent of his field goal attempts in three games. This included sinking 47.6 percent of his three-point looks.
JaM Feelin' Nicey...Senior guard
JaMir Price had a stellar performance for the Dragons in the NSIC Tournament championship against Minot State. Price used a seven-point spurt late in the first half to give MSUM its first lead of the contest. In total, Price scored 16 points on 60 percent shooting with five rebounds.
Can He Get There...Entering the NCAA Central Region Semifinal,
Logan Kinsey sits at 969 career points as a Dragon. Kinsey has scored a career-best 480 points so far this season. Kinsey scored 16 points against Fort Hays State in the NCAA Central Region Quarterfinal.
Quick Scout..Winona State will rely heavily on transfer guard Luke Haertle, who leads the team with 17 points per game this season. Haertle is also a strong distrbutor, tallying a team-high 115 assists so far this season. Winona State is stout top to bottom as well with posts Connor Drew and Isaiah Thompson averaging double figures in scoring. Guard Jhei-R Jones averages nearly 11 points per game for the Warriors as well.
Tim Bergstraser is in his third season as MSUM's head men's basketball coach.