UMC MEN’S BASKETBALL OPENS UP CONFERENCE PLAY WITH A WIN OVER BEMIDJI STATE

The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Men’s Basketball team started Northern Sun Conference play with an impressive 88-72 victory over the Bemidji State Beavers in a game played at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston.  Bemidji State came into the game averaging 122 points per game in their first two games of the season and the Golden Eagles were able to keep them in check, only allowing 72 points in the game. “I was pleased with our effort tonight, especially on the defensive end,” said UMC Coach Dan Weisse.

First half –
The game was tied at 4-4 before Bemidji State went on a 6-0 run for a 10-4 lead with 15:51 left in the half.  It was this point in the game UMC’s Harrison Cleary (Sr. Oak Creek, Wis) took over the game.  He made a three-pointer and after a Bemidji State basket, he answered with another basket to bring the Golden Eagles within a 12-9 deficit.  After a Bemidji State three-pointer, Malcolm Cohen (Sr. Detroit, Mich) answered with a three-pointer.  UMC forced a Bemidji State turnover before Cleary added a layup to get within a 15-14 deficit. Bemidji State built their lead with back-to-back baskets, but Cleary had an answer as he continued to have the hot hand with a long jump shot, followed by a three-pointer to tie the game at 19-19 with 12:06 remaining.  Cleary added two free throws and Tyrese Shines (Fresh. La Grange, Illinois) buried a three-pointer for a 24-19 lead halfway through the half.
Bemidji State answered with two baskets before UMC went on a 10-0 run when Cleary and Brian Sitzmann (Soph. Savage) rattled home three-pointers, Javier Nicolau (Sr. Castellon, Spain) scored in the paint and Cleary added another basket for a 34-23 lead with five minutes to go in the half.  The teams exchanged baskets the rest of the half and UMC took a 42-33 lead into halftime behind 22 points from Cleary.  “They came out hitting some shots early,” said Coach Weisse. “We started getting some stops and it turned into the Harrison Cleary show for a while in the first half.  Harrison is one of the best players in the league and we need him to get us going and he did that tonight.”

Second half –
The second half proved to be as exciting as the first half with Bemidji State making a three-pointer 21 seconds into the half.  UMC answered with a beautiful assist from Cohen to Nicolau, who hammered home a two-handed dunk.  Cleary followed with a three-pointer and Cohen added a basket for a 49-36 lead.  The teams exchanged baskets over the next six or seven minutes and UMC led 70-58 with 10:42 left in the game.  UMC started a run, sparked by Reed Miller (Fresh. Appleton, Wis) three-pointer and a Chase Johnson (Jr. LaCrosse, Wis) two-handed dunk for a 75-58 lead, their biggest of the game.
Bemidji State tried to slow UMC down with a full-court press, but the Golden Eagles handled it well and made plays on the offensive and defensive ends and coasted to an 88-72 victory.  “I thought we did a great job on both ends of the floor,” said Coach Weisse. “I thought our guys walked the walk tonight and play a solid game on both ends of the floor.  It was a great way to start the conference season and I saw an improvement from last weekend and that is what we want to see.”

UMC improves to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the NSIC and will host Waldorf at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.  You can hear the game on KROX with a 2:30 p.m. pre-game show.   Bemidji State drops to 2-1 on the year and 0-1 in the NSIC.