NORTHERN STATE OUTSHOOTS UMC MEN’S BASKETALL FOR NSIC WIN

The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Golden Eagles Men’s Basketball team came into Friday night looking to bounce back after losses to St. Cloud State and the University of Minnesota Duluth last week. They welcomed the Northern State University Wolves into Lysaker Gymnasium with the hopes of doing just that. It was a tightly contested matchup through the first twenty minutes, but Northern State used a strong start to the second half and shot their way to a 76-65 NSIC conference victory.

FIRST HALF –

It was a back and forth first half as the lead never got above 6 points for either team. Northern State opened the scoring, and an Ethan Channel (Jr. Beaverton, OR.) layup with 18:18 remaining in the first half tied the game at 2-2. Shortly after, Brian Sitzmann (Sr. Savage, Minn.) would knock down the first three-pointer of the game for the Golden Eagles, and after another Ethan Channel (Jr. Beaverton, OR.) basket, UMC jumped out to an early 8-4 lead. In a half that didn’t see much separation, there was one run in the first half that allowed Northern State to play with the lead. They would go on a 10-2 run over the next few minutes to take a 14-10 lead, before a Brian Sitzmann (Sr. Savage, Minn.) jumper cut the Wolves lead to 14-12. UMC would never hold the lead the rest of the game. Northern State would hold a small lead most of the half as the teams’ traded buckets. Marcus Thompson (Jr. Brooklyn, N.Y.) would score back-to-back layups with 5:00 minutes remaining in the first half, bringing the Golden Eagles within 1 point as they trailed 25-24. A few minutes later after Northern State extended their lead again, Leonard Dixon (Jr. Damascus, OR.) would knock down a three-pointer to bring UMC back within 1 as they trailed 30-29 with under 1:00 left to play until halftime. Northern State would always respond when needed to keep the lead. They would sink a three-pointer right before the end of the half and take a 33-29 lead into the halftime break. It was an even first half as the teams’ Field Goal Percentage, Rebounds, and Turnovers were all close to even. Ethan Channel (Jr. Beaverton, OR.) led UMC in the first half with 10 points.

SECOND HALF –

Northern State came out red hot to begin the second half, hitting four three-pointers in the first five minutes and taking a 49-38 lead. After a couple of Brian Sitzmann (Sr. Savage, Minn.) free throws to cut the lead back to single digits, The Wolves would knock down back-to-back three-pointers to go up 57-42 with 13:34 remaining in the game. The Golden Eagles would respond and go on an 11-2 run of their own over the next 3:56 of game time cutting the Wolves lead to 59-53. The run was highlighted by Ethan Channel (Jr. Beaverton, OR.) and Leonard Dixon (Jr. Damascus, OR.) three-pointers, and two baskets by Brian Sitzmann (Sr. Savage, Minn.). The teams would go back and forth over the next couple of minutes, and after another Leonard Dixon (Jr. Damascus, OR.) three-pointer, Northern State led 66-58 with 6:12 left to play. The Wolves would then go on a 6-0 run that would put them up 14 and put the game out of reach for good. UMC would get the lead back into single digits one more time after a Leonard Dixon (Jr. Damascus, OR.) three-pointer, but it wasn’t enough as the Wolves would knock down three free throws in the final minute to secure the 76-65 victory. Northern State hit eleven three-pointers and shot 47% in the win, while UMC shot 41% from the field. Leonard Dixon (Jr. Damascus, OR.), Ethan Channel (Jr. Beaverton, OR.), and Brian Sitzmann (Sr. Savage, Minn.) combined for 52 of UMC’s 65 points. 

UMC falls to 4-6 on the season and 1-3 in NSIC play. They will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when they host the Minnesota State University of Moorhead. The tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m. Northern State improves to 8-4 overall and 2-2 in the NSIC with the win.