SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minnesota State Moorhead men's basketball saw its season come to an end in the NSIC Quarterfinals on Saturday evening. The Dragons were defeated by second-seeded Augustana, 83-82 in overtime.
Moorhead would come out with energy on both sides of the floor, creating a 6-2 lead thanks to early baskets from
Adam Jenkins. A spin cycle lay-in from
Sam Hastreiter had MSUM up three points five minutes into action. Augustana would settle in from there, eventually regaining an 18-17 advantage. A triple from
Dominic Gooden would put the Dragons back in front by three points. With under eight minutes to play in the first half, MSUM led 28-23 after a streaking lay-in from
Kabine Kaba.
Landin Hacker and
Eddie Beeninga would drill back-to-back three-pointers to have MSUM in front by seven points with five minutes to go. The Vikings would chip into that deficit, but MSUM would retain advantage of the scoreboard as the half waned. At the break, Moorhead led 41-39 behind nine points from Beeninga. Seven different Dragons scored four or more points in the first half.
Payne and El-Amin would keep the Dragons in front by four points early in the second half. Augustana would storm back using the three-point shot, building a six-point lead (53-47) near the midway point. However, Moorhead would simply not fold as El-Amin would put the Dragons back in front. After another three-pointer from Hacker, MSUM was back in front by six points. With eight minutes to play, MSUM led 65-60.
As was the case most the evening, Augie would provide a game response, striking on an 11-2 run to take a 66-65 lead. The teams sat tied at 68 points with five minutes to play in the contest. Payne would score, followed by a fadeaway from El-Amin and Moorhead sat in front by four points with just over three minutes remaining. The Vikings would answer, tying the game again at 74 points with 49 seconds to play. That score would hold firm through 40 minutes of action as the game needed overtime to decide a winner.
Overtime only continued the back-and-forth pace between the two teams with the squads sitting tied at 80 points. El-Amin would provide a critical basket with 37 seconds to play to put Moorhead up 82-80. Augustana would hit a three-pointer on their final possession to put the Vikings up one. Unfortunately for Moorhead, a final shot to win went awry with the Vikings winning 83-82.
Top Dragons
The Dragons wrap the season 14-16.
