ABERDEEN, SD – March Madness got underway for the Wayne State College men’s basketball team Saturday evening.
From Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, South Dakota, #4 WSC took on #5 MSU Moorhead in the opening round of the 2021 NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Central Regional Tournament.
Over 60 foul shots were attempted from both teams as MSU Moorhead built a 13-point lead at the break thanks to six made three’s and never let Wayne State back into the game. Final favored the Dragons winning 84-72 improving to 11-4 while the ‘Cats ended their season at 11-7.
MSU Moorhead led 43-30 at the break and remained ahead most of the second half by double figures. WSC outscored the Dragons 42-41 in the second half and got as close as six points but MSU Moorhead held on for the 84-72 victory.
Four of the five Wildcat starters finished with double figures led by junior Nate Mohr with 17 points (5-10 FG/3-7 3PT/4-5 FT). Both junior Jordan Janssen (5-10 FG/5-8 FT) and freshman Alec Millender (4-8 FG/0-2 3PT/7-8 FT) poured in 15 points as senior Ben Dentlinger added 14 points (5-7 FG/4-6 FT).
Other scoring came from freshman Jay Saunders with five points, freshman Zach LaFave tallied four points and redshirt freshman Justin Eagins had two points. Janssen grabbed a team-high five rebounds and led the team in assists (four) and blocks (three). Eagins and Millender both finished with two steals.
WSC shot 23-57 (40.4%) from the field, 4-19 (21.1%) from behind the arc and 22-29 (75.9%) from the foul line.
MSU Moorhead leaders were Jacob Beeninga with 16 points (5-7 FG/2-3 3PT/4-4 FT), Lorenzo McGhee added 15 points (5-11 FG/1-2 3PT/4-4 FT), Gatdoor Kueth tallied 13 points (2-5 FG/1-2 3PT/8-9 FT) as Jesse Bergh finished with 11 points (4-4 FG/ 1-1 3PT/2-2 FT).
The Dragons finished 24-45 (53.3%) from the floor, 8-14 (57.1%) from the three-point line and 28-33 (84.8%) at the charity stripe.
1st 2nd Final:
43 41 84 – MSU Moorhead
30 42 72 – WSC
Saturday:
Game #1: #5 MSU Moorhead defeated #4 WSC, 84-72
Game #2: #3 Washburn defeated #6 Missouri Western State, 72-46
Sunday:
Game #3: #1 Northern State defeated #5 MSU Moorhead, 77-65
Game #4: #2 Northwest Missouri State defeated #3 Washburn, 85-44
Tuesday:
Game #5 (Central Regional Final): #1 Northern State vs. #2 Northwest Missouri State at 7 p.m.