SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – For the third time in four seasons, MSU Moorhead men's basketball sits atop the NSIC basketball mountain. The Dragons defeated Minot State in the NSIC Tournament championship on Tuesday night, 78-66.
Through the first five minutes, Minot State would gather a small 8-4 lead, forcing the Dragons into some tough looks. MSUM shot just two of seven to begin the contest with the lone baskets coming on interior scores from
Logan Kinsey and
Sam Hastreiter. The Beavers would ultimately build a 13-4 advantage as the first half worked towards its midway point.
Will Kinsey would try to get the Dragons sparked, scoring while being fouled. The basket put the score at 23-12 in favor of the Beavers, but Kinsey's effort would jumpstart the Dragons. However, Minot State connected on 10 of their first 16 shot attempts to open the game. An and-one jumper from
Carson Johnson would get the Dragons back within single digits (25-16) with eight minutes to play in the half. A slam from
Jacob Jennissen followed by a tough bucket from
Logan Kinsey had the count within five points.
Just before the break, a seven-point surge from
JaMir Price provided MSUM its first lead of the contest in 34-33. At the break, the Dragons led 35-34 thanks to nine points from Price while Kinsey added in eight points. The Dragons would rally after a harsh start, marking a 55.2 percent clip from the field. MSUM would also tighten up its defensive efforts to wrap the half, holding Minot State to just 11 points in the final 10 minutes of play.
After a massive slam from Kinsey, MSUM led by four points (43-39) five minutes into the second half. A floater from Price not long after pushed the Dragon advantage to six points. Midway through the second half, MSUM held a 52-45 lead after a made three-pointer from
Eddie Beeninga.
While Jennissen would collect a critical fourth foul with just over nine minutes to go, MSUM would continue to lead. Johnson drove to the basket to score to keep the Dragon lead at five points with under eight to go in the game. Johnson and Kinsey would continue to lead the Dragons offensively, while defensive stops became habit. Johnson cashed home a triple with just over five minutes left to keep the Dragons on top, 61-52.
Johnson would take over the game from there, scoring possession after possession and answering Minot State at every turn. The offensive flurry provided MSUM a 69-56 lead with four minutes to go in the game. While Minot State would come as close as six points down the stretch, MSUM would be able to stave off the Beavers. MSUM captured the victory by a 78-66 score. Johnson led the Dragons with 27 points as Kinsey and Price added 16 points apiece.
Johnson, Kinsey and Jennissen were named to the all-tournament team while Johnson became the first freshman in league history to earn Tournament MVP. Johnson is one of three freshmen in NSIC history to earn all-tournament honors as well.
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MSUM (23-8) will now await selections for the NCAA Central Region Tournament. The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Selection Show is slated for Sunday, March 9 at 10 p.m.
