UMC MEN’S BASKETBALL SQUANDERS 22-POINT LEAD IN LOSS TO MINNESOTA DULUTH

The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Men’s Basketball squad couldn’t protect a 22-point lead in the second half of a 90-84 overtime loss against Minnesota Duluth in an NSIC game played at Lysaker Gymnasium. 

1st Half –
It was a dream start for Minnesota Crookston. After Minnesota Duluth’s Brandon Myer (Sr., Superior, WI) scored the opening basket, Ibu Jassey-Demba (Jr., Birmingham, UK) answered with a three-pointer giving the Golden Eagles a 3-2 lead. Malcolm Cohen (R-Sr., Detroit, MI) connected on UMC’s second straight triple before Javier Nicolau (Sr., Castellon, Spain) finished at the rim increasing Minnesota Crookston’s lead to 8-2. Brian Sitzmann (R-Soph., Savage) added five straight points increasing the Golden Eagles’ advantage to 13-2 less than four minutes into the game. Leading 18-9, Tyrese Shines (Fr., La Grange, IL) buried a three-pointer followed by a three made by Zach Westphal (R-Fr., West Fargo, ND) putting UMC ahead 24-9. Chase Johnson (R-Jr., La Crosse, WI) scored a lay-up to cap off an 8-0 run increasing the Golden Eagles lead to 26-9. Minnesota Crookston’s offense continued to roll the rest of the first half as the Golden Eagles closed the first half with a 44-28 lead. “Things were going really well because we were playing on both ends,” explained UMC head coach Dan Weisse. “We had our assignments, but once Minnesota Duluth changed their line-up in the second half, it sped us up.”

2nd Half –
The second half started much like the first half for Minnesota Crookston. Harrison Cleary (Sr., Oak Creek, WI) scored at the rim to start the second half. Javier Nicolau threw down a dunk to spark a 6-0 run increasing the Golden Eagles lead to 52-30 with 17:23 to play. After trading baskets, Minnesota Duluth went on an 8-0 run to pull within 54-40 before Harrison Cleary scored four straight points, regaining a 58-40 lead. Another 14-2 run by the Bulldogs cut their deficit down to 60-54 with 8:31 to play as the Golden Eagles were held to two points from 14:07 to 8:31 to play. With 5:20 to play in regulation, Brian Sitzmann scored a lay-up increasing Minnesota Crookston’s lead to 69-58. Minnesota Duluth countered with a 13-0 run to take its first lead since it was 2-0 as the Bulldogs stormed back for a 71-69 lead with 1:34 to play. Harrison Cleary tied the game with a runner evening the score at 71-71 with 1:05 to play. The two sides traded baskets in the final minute with Cleary tying the game at the free-throw line with 7-seconds left to play. Tied at 75-75, Minnesota Duluth’s Drew Blair (R-Fr., Stevens Point, WI) missed the potential game-winning shot sending the game at overtime. “They were really searching, and they went small,” noted Weisse when asked what Minnesota Duluth changed to comeback in the second half. “We went small to match them, and if I could go back, maybe we keep Javier (Nicolau) in there because there were a few matchups he could guard. There were some switches we didn’t guard well, but we haven’t practiced any of that. We hadn’t prepared for what Duluth threw at us (with the smaller line-up).”

Over Time –
Javier Nicolau slammed a dunk set up by a pass from Harrison Cleary, giving the Golden Eagles a 77-75 lead to start overtime. It was the last lead UMC had in the game. Drew Blair scored a dunk through a foul before Brandon Myer scored an and-one giving the visitors an 81-77 lead.  With 2:57 to play, Malcolm Cohen scored a lay-up bringing the Golden Eagles within 81-79. Drew Blair answered with back-to-back finishes at the rim, giving UMD an 85-79 lead. Minnesota Crookston pulled within 87-84 with 32-seconds to play, but the Bulldogs were able to close out the game at the free-throw line securing a 90-84 comeback win. “The overtime started well, but then they scored on an offensive rebound,” added Weisse. “Those offensive rebounds killed us. We’d get a stop, but when we didn’t get the rebound, they made us pay. (Brandon) Myer is a good player, but you’ve got to box him out. That’s easier said than done. He got to clean up a few things, unfortunately. If we have this mindset, we can beat any team. We need to take out this frustration on St. Cloud State tomorrow.”

Minnesota Crookston falls to 11-16 overall and 7-14 in conference play. The Golden Eagles return to the court for their final home game of the season on Saturday when UMC hosts St. Cloud State for Senior Day at 5:30 P.M. on KROX. Minnesota Duluth improves to 20-7 overall and 15-6 in conference play.