The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Men’s Basketball team fell to the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs Friday evening 70-44. The Golden Eagles led 8-9 early, but were outscored 62-35 for the remainder of the game.
FIRST HALF –
It was a defensive struggle in the opening stages of the game, with the first points going to SMSU about two minutes in. Chandler Meeks gave thr Golden Eagles their first lead moments later, as he took a hard foul on a made layup and proceeded to hit the ensuing layup. SMSU’s Calvin Buss made it 4-0 moments later on a layup of his own. UMC would take the lead again on an Andrew Stokes layup a few minutes later, but the teams continued to trade buckets. UMC was up 9-8 at the 12:54 mark, but the Mustangs started on a 11-0 run over the next three minutes. UMC finally broke the run on a Chandler Meeks free throw with just under 8 minutes to play in the half, but SMSU would score the next 4 points. The Golden Eagles found themselves down 30-16 late in the half, but scored the final 6 before halftime to make it 30-22. UMC’s defense held up, but the offense was unable to score from deep, as the Golden Eagles were 0-of-12 from three in the half.
SECOND HALF –
The Mustangs started the second half with a couple of quick points, but UMC had an answer. SMSU extended their lead to 37-24 about a minute and a half in before both teams traded a few scoreless possessions. A Mustang layup was answered by the first three pointer of the day for UMC, as Micah Garrett’s triple made the score 39-27. The defenses took control over the next several minutes, with the only points in the span coming from a Mustang layup. A Mitchell Jordan finger-roll layup made it 41-29, and the teams again traded makes for around a minute. SMSU was up 46-32 with 12:25 left in the game, and extended it by 3 more after a Dunwa Omat make from beyond the arc. Omat beat the shot clock on a high arcing three on the following possession to make it a 52-32 game. The Mustangs would extend the scoring run to 8 in a row with a Meckhi Shaw layup. Andrew Stokes ended the run with a layup for UMC, followed by a couple of free throws to make it 54-36 at the 9:27 mark. SMSU went on a 7-2 run over the next three minutes, as they led UMC 61-38 at the 6:47 mark. Landon Dimler made a three for UMC to make it a 20-point game again on the ensuing possession. SMSU had an answer, as Mason Lund responded with his third triple of the day. Dimler hit another three to answer back, making it 64-44 in favor of the Mustangs. Lund put up 5 in a row for SMSU, forcing the Golden Eagles to burn a timeout with just under 4 to play and trailing 69-44. The reserves would finish out the final four minutes of the game, as the Mustangs cruised to a 70-44 victory.
UMC is now 3-10 on the season and will play the University of Sioux Falls tomorrow. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 on KROX.
Listen to postgame comments from UMC head coach Brian Beamish:
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| SMSU | 30 | 40 | 70 |
| UM-Crookston | 22 | 22 | 44 |
| For UMC | Points | Rebounds | Assists/Steals/Blocks |
| Reid Grant | 9 | 4 | 3/1/0 |
| Andrew Stokes | 8 | 5 | 1/1/0 |
| Chandler Meeks | 6 | – | 2/1/2 |
| Landon Dimler | 6 | 5 | 0/0/0 |
| Micah Garrett | 5 | 3 | 1/1/0 |
| Jordan Mitchell | 4 | 6 | 3/1/2 |
| Christian Bowen-Webb | 2 | 1 | 0/0/0 |
| Caiden Swenby | 2 | 4 | 0/0/0 |
| Brayden Carlson | 2 | 2 | 0/0/0 |
