UMC MEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO SIOUX FALLS

The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Men’s Basketball team took on the University of Sioux Falls Cougars Men’s Basketball team in a Northern Sun Conference game played at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston. The Cougars used the three-ball and offensive rebounding to their advantage to win 74-47. 

FIRST HALF-
In the first half, UMC was able to pull out to a quick 8-5 lead, with Aguek Deng (R-Jr. Des Moines, IA) hitting a two and a three while the NSIC’s leading scorer, Blaize Sagna (Jr. London, England), hit a triple as well. Ben Hoverson (Jr. Grand Forks, ND) hit a mid-range jumper and a three to make it 13-11 with UMC still leading. After Sagna hit another field goal to make it 15-14, Sioux Falls went on a 14-0 run, with Jack Cartwright hitting three threes to put the Cougars up 28-15. Last year, Cartwright scored his career-high of 20 points against UMC in Lysaker Gymnasium and would match his career-high in this game, coming off the bench. UMC responded as Hoverson hit a three, and Mario Adams (Fr. Rosemount, MN) got a lay-up. Sanga hit a pair of twos, and quickly, Sioux Falls’ lead shrunk to 28-24. Later in the half, Myles Adams (Fr. Rosemount, MN) hit a three to make it 38-29, but before the halftime buzzer, the Cougars responded with another three as they were 9-15 from three-point range in the first half to take a 41-29 lead going into the break.

SECOND HALF-
In the second half, Sioux Falls started with a 10-2 run as Peter Fuchs Jr. (R-Fr. Wausau, WI) got the lone bucket for the Golden Eagles during that stretch. Sagna hit a lay-up and a three-point shot while Mario Adams hit a pair of free throws to make it 52-38 with the Cougars still in the lead. Fuchs Jr. could draw contact underneath and get his basket to go, plus the foul, which he hit the free throw to make it 57-41. After Sagna hit a mid-range jumper to make it 62-45, Sioux Falls went on a 12-0 run and held UMC scoreless for 6:59 to close out the second half. Myles Adams connected on two late free throws, which made it 74-47 as Sioux Falls would take the victory.

UMC drops to 5-12 on the season and 2-9 in conference play. The Golden Eagles will be back in action tomorrow, hosting Southwest Minnesota State. Sioux Falls improves to 9-9 on the season and 6-6 in NSIC play and will be back in action next week against Northern State. 

CLICK HERE to listen to Coach Brian Beamish’s post-game comments.