Dragon Men's Basketball Sneaks By Beavers, 60-58, Pick Up Conference Opening Win

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Last second free-throws, after regaining the lead in the final four minutes of the game led to the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragon men’s basketball conference opening win, 60-58, over the Bemidji State Beavers.

The Beavers out-shot the Dragons, 41 to 34 percent, but more rebounds and fewer turnovers led to the MSUM win. The Dragons had 44 rebounds, while the Beavers managed to grab 30, only one on offense. The Dragons grabbed 19 rebounds on offense which led to 11 second chance points.

Tarell Clark played a huge role for the Dragons in the second half as he put up 15 points of his 17 total late in the game, leading the team back into the game after trailing by as much as 10 in the second half.

After trailing since the 19:08 mark in the first half, the Dragons regained the lead 49-48 with 4:20 left in the game on a steal by Clark that he took all the way to the hoop. Clark finished the game with 17 points and eight rebounds.

The Beavers regained the lead in their ensuing possession but it did not falter the Dragon drive as the team went up again in the next play. Soon after, leading 51-50, Charlie Chapman was fed the ball by Dennis Williamson off a steal at the 3:12 mark, to hit his first field goal of the game, a big three pointer that gave the team the momentum to win.

The Dragons hit 4-of-6 free throws in the final 30 seconds of the game, including Chapman hitting both attempts with 12 seconds left in the game to go up 59-55. The Beavers hit a three pointer with five seconds left on the clock, closing the gap to a one point lead for the Dragons.

The home team had one more try for the win with three seconds remaining as Chapman hit only his second free-throw after returning  to the line, to give the dragons a 60-58 lead. The Beavers could not hit the shot as the buzzer sounded, giving MSUM their first conference win and moved the team's overall record to 4-1.

Williamson led the Dragons as he registered his second double-double of the year with 17 points and 10 rebounds. He also had four rebounds in the game. Alex Novak played a big role on the Dragon defense as he had a career high 16 rebounds in the game. He also had four points and one block.

The Dragons will return to the court on Saturday in Duluth, Minn., as they will face the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs at 6 p.m.