UMC MEN’S BASKETBALL CAN’T HOLD HALFTIME LEAD, FALLS TO WAYNE STATE 74-59

The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Men’s Basketball team fell at home to the Wayne State Wildcats, 74-59.

FIRST HALF-
In the first half, it was a back-and-forth start, with Ben Hoverson getting the game’s first basket for UMC. De’Antray Hughes had a pair of layups, and Blaize Sagna knocked down a three to give UMC an early 10-6 lead. Wayne State responded and eventually took the lead at 13-12 before Reid Grant put in a layup to make it 14-13 with UMC in the lead. After Wayne State opened up a 22-16 lead, UMC used a quick 8-0 run to get the lead back as Jordan Mitchell hit a close shot while Sagna and Grant connected from downtown to give UMC a 24-22 lead. Peter Fuchs Jr. would get the final basket of the half for UMC as the Golden Eagles held a 31-29 lead at the half. 

SECOND HALF-
In the second half, Wayne State came out on an 11-2 run to open up a 40-33 lead. Fuchs Jr. hit a three to cut the Wildcats lead down to 43-38. UMC eventually would get the lead down to three at 47-44 after Mitchell and Sagna each got two-pointers while Hughes had a dunk to close in on the lead. Fuchs Jr. had seven straight points for the Golden Eagles as he was able to keep UMC in the game as Wayne State led 55-51. The Wildcats went on a 10-0 run to get their lead up to 14. UMC couldn’t cut it to single digits after that as Wayne State would keep the Golden Eagles at bay and take the road victory, 74-59. 

Wayne State improves to 14-13 and 7-13 in NSIC play and will take on U Mary at home next weekend. UMC falls to 6-20 on the season and 3-17 in NSIC competition. The Golden Eagles will wrap up the regular season next weekend at Minnesota State and Winona State. 

Click here for Coach Bryan Beamish’s post-game comments.