SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – MSU Moorhead men's basketball saw efficient scoring and steely defense in an NSIC Quartefinal tilt with Augustana on Sunday night. The Dragons won their ninth straight game, blowing by the Vikings, 85-51.
The 34-point win for the Dragons is the largest margin of victory of the season.
MSUM would hold a narrow two-point advantage five minutes into the contest as both teams were sharp to start.
Carson Johnson and
Logan Kinsey drained three-pointers for the Dragons while
Jacob Jennissen dropped in four early points. Johnson would pour in nine points in the first 10 minutes to have MSUM up 18-15. The Dragons were active defensively in the opening 10 minutes, forcing tough shots and three Viking turnovers.
Defense continued to pace the Dragons overall with MSUM getting to the foul line on the other end.
Jacob Beeninga would bury four straight free throws to have MSUM up 25-19 with six minutes to go in the half. Johnson would swish home a step back triple shortly thereafter to make the count 28-21 in favor of the Dragons.
Jennissen would score four straight points to have MSUM up nine points with two to go in the half. At the break, the Dragons would lead 39-23 after concluding the half on a 9-0 run, spearheaded by Johnson. The freshman scored 17 points in the first half with Jennissen scoring 10 with seven rebounds. MSUM was stingy all half, forcing seven turnovers and holding the Vikings to 35.7 percent from the floor.
Kinsey would keep the Dragons humming to start the second half, scoring a pair of midrange shots to put MSUM up 20 points.
Sam Hastreiter would get on the board on an assist from Kinsey, drilling a triple to make the score 48-25. The lead would balloon from there as Johnson poured in five straight. With 15 minutes remaining, MSUM led 55-27.
Augustana would turn up its defensive pressure from there, implementing a fullcourt press that mildly stifled the Dragons. However, MSUM would settle into the defense, still finding smart shots to lead 60-33. Midway through the second half, MSUM led 64-37, having made 14 of their last 15 field goals, including six of seven from deep.
Shaun Wysocki would only continue the Dragon hot streak, knocking in MSUM's ninth three-pointer of the game. With five minutes to go, the Dragons held a commanding 71-44 advantage after Johnson drained his sixth three of the game. MSUM would win by a convincing score of 85-51. Johnson led the way with 28 points as Jennissen and Wysocki pitched in 10 and 12 points respectively.
It was defense that truly cemented the contest for MSUM as they would hold the Vikings to 38 percent shooting for the game, including a one of seven clip from deep. For the game, MSUM shot 52.5 percent from the floor, including 12 of 23 from long distance. The Dragons also dominated the glass, holding a plus-13 advantage on the boards.
Top Dragons
Up Next
MSUM (21-8) will take on Winona State in the NSIC Semifinals tomorrow evening at 7 p.m.
