SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead men's basketball experienced another heart-wrenching loss on Saturday evening. The Dragons fell to the Sioux Falls Cougars, 82-81. 
 
How It Happened
 

• The teams would trade baskets through the first five minutes of action with Sam Hastreiter scoring four early points. 
• MSUM would lead 9-7 before Sioux Falls surged to claim a 19-9 advantage.
• The Cougars would retain a 10-point lead midway through the first half (26-16).
• Sioux Falls would continue to possess a double-digit lead with the Dragons coming as close as eight points following a Timaris Brown bucket.
• Late in the half, a triple from Hastreiter had the score back within eight points (37-29). 
• The Cougars would lead 46-35 at the break with Hastreiter scoring 12 points followed by seven from Isa El-Amin. 
• Both teams shot over 50 percent through 20 minutes of action. 
• As the second half began, it was El-Amin and fellow frosh Sam Hondl who helped whittle down the deficit. 
• Hondl connected on a three before El-Amin scored six straight Dragon points to have Moorhead within two points (52-50). 
• With just under 14 minutes to play, Dominic Gooden would knock down a triple to even the count at 55 points. 
• Midway through the second half, Sioux Falls held a 62-59 lead.
• A four-point swing as part of a 10-0 Cougar run expanded their lead back into double digits, 70-59. 
• In total, the Cougar run was 16-6 as Sioux Falls led 76-63 with five minutes to play. 
• Adam Jenkins would help Moorhead back into the game, scoring five straight to have Moorhead within four points with two minutes left. 
• El-Amin would catch fire from there, scoring five consecutive points to bring the Dragons within a point with 73 seconds remaining. 
• Following a Dragon defensive stop, Hastreiter would give MSUM its first lead since 15:59 of the first half, 81-80.
• Sioux Falls would grab the lead back at the foul line with 14 seconds remaining.
• Moorhead would have one final attempt, but an inside shot from Hastreiter missed with the Cougars winning 82-81. 
• El-Amin led the Dragons with 24 points on an effective nine of 14 shooting. Hastreiter was excellent as well, scoring 18 points on eight of 14 shooting. 

 
Top Dragons
 

• Isa El-Amin: 24 points (9-14 FG, four assists, two steals)
• Sam Hastreiter: 18 points, three rebounds
• Adam Jenkins: Nine points, seven rebounds

 
Up Next
 
The Dragons (10-10, 7-7 NSIC) return to Nemzek Fieldhouse next weekend for NSIC tilts with St. Cloud State and Minnesota State.