By: Tom Berg, MSUM Assistant AD for Media Relations

MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Freshman forward Aaron Lien's basket with two seconds left lifted the Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team to a thrilling 82-80 win over No. 25-ranked Winona State in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Saturday in Moorhead, Minn.

MSUM improved to 15-5 overall and 11-5 in the NSIC with the win, while Winona State, which entered the game atop the NSIC standings, fell to 18-5 overall and 13-3 in the league.

It was the Dragons' second win over a nationally-ranked foe this season; MSUM beat then-No. 12-ranked Minnesota State University, Mankato, 99-85 in January.

Lien and sophomore guard Tyler Vaughan paced a balanced Dragon attack with 18 points each, while junior Prescott Williams added 11 points. Junior Urbane Bingham added nine points and six rebounds while sophomore guard Malik Wood led with four assists to go with eight points.

MSUM shot 48.3 percent (28-of-58) from the field in the game compared to 52.6 percent (30-of-57) for the Warriors. MSUM had a slight 34-31 edge in rebounds and committed only nine turnovers, compared to 10 for Winona State.

The Dragons trailed by as many as 13 points in the game and trailed for virtually all the contest.  They were down 79-73 with 3:02 left but a three-pointer by Vaughan cut the Warrior lead to 79-76.

That three was part of seven straight Dragon points, which included three free throws by Vaughan and a free throw by Prescott Williams, to take an 80-79 lead with 1:55 left.

Winona State tied the game at 80-80 with a free throw with 19 seconds left, giving the Dragons a chance to get the win in regulation. They converted with two seconds left when Lien buried the shot, and Winona was not able to get a shot off, giving MSUM a hard-fought two-point win.

The Dragons fell behind 13-3 and trailed the entire half. MSUM was down 48-39 at halftime.

MSUM cut the lead to 50-48 on a basket by senior guard Tarell Clark, but the Warriors scored nine points in a row to push the lead to 59-48 with 15:30 left. The Dragons trailed 68-55 with 10:41 left but slowly reeled in the Warriors over the final 10 minutes.

The Dragons' first lead of the night came when Williams hit his free throw with 1:55 left. They outscored Winona State 27-12 over the final 10 minutes.

The Dragons continue their four-game homestand on Friday, Feb. 7 at home against St. Cloud State. Game time is 8 p.m. at Nemzek Fieldhouse. The game will also be telecast live on WDAY Channel 6.3, which is Midcontinent Communications channel 596.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: Tonight was the Dragons' first win over Winona State in Moorhead since their 86-76 victory on Feb. 21, 2003.