SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (MSUM Athletics) — The Minnesota State University Moorhead men’s basketball team couldn’t fully recover from a cold-shooting first half in a 78-57 loss to No. 8 Northern State in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference/Sanford Health Tournament championship game Sunday at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
MSUM fell to 10-4 on the season while Northern State, which won its fourth straight NSIC tournament title, improved to 18-1.
Inside the Numbers
All-tournament selection Gavin Baumgartner had his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman guard Jacob Beeninga, who played a career-high 32 minutes after junior guard Bryce Irsfeld left early with an injury, added 11 points and a team-best three steals. Sophomore forward Dane Zimmer added six rebounds
For the second straight game the Dragons struggled shooting from the field, shooting just 33.3 percent (22-of-66) while the Wolves shot 49.2 percent (29-of-59). MSUM shot a season-worst 1-of-15 from three-point range.
The Dragons held a 42-38 edge in rebounds.
Frigid First Half
MSUM found itself facing a 45-18 halftime deficit, thanks in large part to frigid shooting from the field. The Dragons hit just 8-of-30 field goals attempts (26.7 percent) and were 0-of-6 from three-point range. Northern State shot 60 percent (18-of-30) in the opening 20 minutes on its way to a 27-point halftime lead.
The 18 points were the fewest MSUM has scored in a half this season. The Dragons never led in the game and faced a 12-4 deficit 3:34 into the contest. The Wolves ended the half on a 14-2 run.
Battling Back
The Dragons fought hard in the second half and after freshman guard Gabe Myren hit a pair of free throws, were within 64-50. But they got no closer as Northern’s Mason Stark hit a three to push the lead back to 17 and the Dragons got no closer than 16 the rest of the night.
NSIC Finals
It was the Dragons’ fifth appearance in the tournament championship game. They are 0-5 so far, although the last three losses have come to teams ranked in the top 10 in the nation (Northern on Sunday, and Augustana twice).
Up Next
MSUM will await to learn if it qualifies for the NCAA tournament. The selection show is scheduled for March 7 at 9:30 p.m. at ncaa.com.
