#2 MSU Moorhead used 55 percent shooting in the second half to snap a 33-33 halftime tie as the Dragons defeated Wayne State College 80-68 in Northern Sun Conference men's basketball played Saturday evening at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.  MSUM is now 14-0 and 8-0 in the NSIC while WSC is 9-7 and 2-7 in the league.
            The visiting Dragons held the lead much of the opening half but after MSUM built a nine-point lead Wayne State battled back to even the score at intermission.
            With the score tied at 11-11, WSC used baskets by David Harmon and Elijah Watson to take a 15-13 lead.  It would be the final lead of the of the first half for the 'Cats.
            MSU Moorhead scored the next seven points for a 20-15 lead and increased their advantage to 29-20 at the 6:43 mark of the half. 
            The 'Cats were within two at 29-27 after a pair of Trey Deveaux free throws and after the Dragons pushed the lead back up to five WSC used a Harmon 3-pointer and a basket by Sean Stokes to end the half making the score 33-33 at intermission.
            Jay Saunders opened the second half with a basket for WSC giving the 'Cats a 35-33 lead.  It was the final lead of the night for WSC.
            MSU Moorhead went on a 9-0 run to take a seven-point lead at 42-35.  A pair of free throws by Cody McCullough got WSC within two at 44-42 with 14 minutes to play.
            The Dragons slowly extended their advantage on WSC and took their first double digit lead at 58-48 and led by as much as 15 in the second half before closing with an 80-68 victory.
            Millender finished with 22 points followed by Harmon with 20 and Trey Deveaux scoring 10. 
            Wayne State made 25 of 57 shots for 43.9 percent.  The 'Cats were 6 for 15 from the 3-point line and 12 of 16 at the charity stripe.
            Jacob Beeninga poured in 22 points to lead MSU Moorhead in scoring.  Gabe Myren followed with 19, Logan Kinsey scored 15 and Ja'Kair Sanchez added 14 for the Dragons.
            MSU Moorhead shot 48.3 percent from the field on 28 of 58 shots.  MSUM was 4 of 17 behind the arc and made 20 of 26 free throws.
            The Dragons held a slight 36-32 edge in rebounding over the Wildcats as Cody McCullough hauled in 11 caroms for the Wildcats.  McCullough had a team-high three assists.
            Wayne State hits the road next weekend for Northern Sun Conference games at Northern State Friday at 5:30 p.m. and at the University of Mary Saturday at 3:30 p.m.