MANKATO, Minn. --- It proved to be an exciting first round game in the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament Wednesday evening as Minnesota State edge MSU Moorhead 82-79 at Taylor Center.
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 21-8, while the Dragons end their season with a 7-22 record.
The first half saw the Mavericks score the game's first basket less than 30 seconds in and they would hold the lead throughout the rest of the half. The Mavericks eventually built an 11-point lead at 19-8 after making four straight baskets with 13:56 to go.
The Dragons did not let the score get out of hand however as they eventually closed to within three points of the Mavericks at 36-33 with 3:57 to go in the opening stanza. Minnesota State would tally six more points in the closing minutes as it carried a 42-40 lead into the locker room.
Sophomore
Cameron Kirksey led the Maverick offense in the first half with 12 points, while sophomore
Kevin Krieger tallied 11 points. As a team MSU shot 18-of-30 (.600) from the field in the first half. The Mavericks also held an 18-13 advantage in rebounds.
MSU Moorhead's Tanner Kretchman led all scorers in the first half with 13 points. Johnny Beeninga added 10 points for the Dragons as well. As a team, MSU Moorhead shot 47.1% from the field, including a 7-of-16 (.438) showing from downtown.
The lead changed hands six times in the second half as neither team led by more than five points throughout the final 20 minutes. With 7:15 remaining, both teams were tied 63-63 but a couple of quick baskets from senior
Charlie Brown and junior
Carlos Anderson gave the Mavericks a four-point lead with 6:23 to go.
The Mavericks held the lead through to the last minute but a three pointer from Kretchman with 28 seconds left put the Dragons back within two points of the Mavericks at 74-72. MSU Moorhead was then forced to foul, but the Mavericks were up to the task as they connected on all eight of their free throw attempts to lock down the 82-79 win. Brown hit four of MSU's final eight free throws, while Anderson and senior
Chris Kendrix each tallied two.
A total of five Mavericks finished with 11 points or more, including Kirksey who tallied a team-leading 20 points. Kendrix notched his fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Krieger added 16 points. Brown finished his night with 11 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Anderson added 14 points of the bench.
As team, the Mavericks shot 52.5% from the field, including a 7-of-17 (.412) performance from ling range. The Mavericks also hauled in 36 rebounds and passed out 12 assists.
Kretchman led all scorers with 22 points, while Beeninga notched 19 points. As a team, MSU Moorhead shot 45.6% from the field.
Minnesota State will take on Minot State in the second round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament on Saturday at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
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