MOORHEAD, Minn. (MSUM Athletics)– MSU Moorhead men’s basketball suffered its first loss of the 2023-24 season on Saturday evening as the Dragons fell to Sioux Falls, 70-68.
Jacob Beeninga got the Dragons going in the first half as the junior would score nine points through 10 minutes of play. Beeninga netted three of three long range shots to bring the Dragons a 19-12 lead. The back and forth would ensue from there as Sioux Falls would take a 26-25 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the first half. Sioux Falls was led by fabulous guard Jack Thompson, who scored 11 points in the stretch and would keep the Cougars competitive despite a nine of 23 shooting mark.
MSUM would close the final five minutes of play in the first half narrowly outscoring the Cougars 7-5 to take a 32-31 lead into the locker room. Beeninga was hot all half to pace the Dragons, scoring 12 points, including four three-pointers and four of four shooting overall. Dane Zimmer added in eight points and eight rebounds in the half as MSUM shot 41.4 percent from the floor in the half. However, Sioux Falls would keep pace thanks to a plus-five rebound advantage including six offensive rebounds.
The contentious play would continue as the second half commenced with MSUM holding a narrow 42-41 lead. Sioux Falls would shoot 57.1 percent from the floor in the first five minutes of the period. Sioux Falls would do a good job of stifling the Dragon scoring outside of Beeninga, who had scored 20 points with just under 10 minutes remaining. Despite the solid defensive effort, MSUM would still hold a 50-49 lead. Down the stretch in the game, Sioux Falls would own the glass, which continued to push the momentum in their favor. The Dragons led 60-57 with just over four minutes remaining in the contest as Beeninga had scored 25 points to that point in the game.
Never the less, Sioux Falls would rely on Thompson like they had all game as the guard would carry the Cougars in the late stages of the contest. Thompson would drop 34 points in the game. His effort was enough to stave off a late Dragon run as Sioux Falls would win 70-68. By game’s end, Sioux Falls would hold a plus-10 rebound advantage, including 14 offensive rebounds. This provided 18 second chance points for the Coo as the Dragons would leave nine points on the table, making 20 of 29 free throw attempts.
Steve d’Eustachio’s Stat of the Game
The 15-0 start which was halted today now stands alongside the 15-0 start that was ruined on Jan. 30, 1971, a loss to Winona State, also by a score of 70-68.
Top Dragons
- Jacob Beeninga: 31 points, three assists
- Dane Zimmer: 11 points, 13 rebounds
Up Next
MSUM (15-1, 9-1 NSIC) remains at home as they look towards home games against Minnesota Duluth and Concordia, St. Paul. The weekend begins with the Bulldogs, who will enter Nemzek Fieldhouse for a 7:30 p.m. game on Friday.
Game Recap: Men’s Basketball | | Nolan Schmidt
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