Box Score (Crookston, Minn.)- The Golden Eagle Men's Basketball team hoped to keep their undefeated streak alive tonight against the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) Bulldogs at Lysaker Gymnasium. However, the Bulldogs opened up a 47-28 halftime lead and never looked back on their way to a 101-68 victory over the University of Minnesota, Crookston in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Men's Basketball action.  

Trent Graves (6-8, Sr, F, Hartford, S.D.) started off the scoring for the Golden Eagles as they jumped out to a quick two point lead but UMD fought back and U of M, Crookston found themselves in a place they have not been this year with an eight point deficit. The Bulldogs went on a 12 point run which was finally put to rest when Akeem Cubie (6-6, Sr, G/F, Minneapolis, Minn.) made a short jumper. Cubie showed plenty of fight while putting up seven points in the first half. Turnovers on offense cursed U of M, Crookston in the first half and helped the Bulldogs maintain an eight point lead for most of the first half. Defending the three was a problem for U of M, Crookston throughout the first half as UMD went five of nine from beyond the ark.  

The fast paced play of the first half by both teams seemed to favor the Bulldogs as they ended the first half with a 19 point lead.  A 38% field goal percentage haunted the Golden Eagles throughout the first half.

U of M, Crookston came out strong in the second half with Jacolby Anderson (6-1, Sr, G, Lancaster, Tex.) scoring first. The Golden Eagles faced a huge deficit to begin the second half and had to come out strong in order to recover from their 19 point margin. The UMD defense was still relentless and the Golden Eagles seemed unable to help themselves either with fouls plaguing U of M, Crookston every inch of the way. The Bulldogs continued to dominate on offense shooting a total of seven for twelve from the three point line even with a large amount of time still remaining in the second half. The Golden Eagles struggled in finding a way to penetrate the Bulldog defense as UMD took the victory 101-68.

Anderson led U of M, Crookston with 25 points (7-18). Cubie added 14 points (5-13).

The Bulldogs were led by Ryan Rassmussen who scored 25 points (7-13). Jake Hottenstine added 17 points (7-12) with six rebounds while Peter Crawford added 11 points (6-8 from the free throw line).

UMD improves to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the NSIC. U of M, Crookston falls to 3-1 and 0-1 in the NSIC.

The Golden Eagles return to NSIC action on Saturday, December 3 against Bemidji State University. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium.


Story by Craig Lorenz and Gina Delisa - University of Minnesota, Crookston Sports Information Interns

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
    
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