UMC MEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO SIOUX FALLS

The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Men’s Basketball team took a two-point lead into halftime, but Southwest Minnesota State had a strong second half to win the game 77-67 in a Northern Sun Conference game played at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston. 

FIRST HALF-
Southwest Minnesota State started the game on 10-4 run. UMC’s Blaize Sagna (Jr. London, England) made a three-pointer. UMC trailed 13-7 before Sagna scored four straight points, and Jordan Mitchell added a basket in the paint to tie the game at 13 eight minutes into the game. UMC took the lead after a grand three-pointer, forcing Southwest Minnesota State to call a time-out. Grant followed with another three-pointer, and Sagna added a layup for a 21-13 lead, capping a 14-0 run. Southwest would slowly chip away at the deficit the rest of the first half, and UMC took a 32-30 lead into halftime.

SECOND HALF
The game was tied at 32, 34, and 36 before Southwest made back-to-back layups for a 40-36 lead four minutes into the half. Southwest built a 49-42 lead halfway through the half. UMC answered with a run to get within a 51-46 deficit, only to have Southwest answer with a 9-2 run for a 60-49 lead with 5:18 left in the game. UMC tried to battle back but couldn’t get closer than seven points several times, and Southwest Minnesota State held on for a 77-67 victory. 

UMC drops to 5-13 overall and 2-10 in the NSIC and will travel to Minnesota Duluth on Friday. Southwest Minnesota State improves to 10-8 overall and 7-5 in the NSIC.