Game Notes

Gameday Info

Away Team: University of Minnesota, Crookston (3-2, 0-1 NSIC)
Home Team: Universty of Minnesota Duluth (2-3, 0-1 NSIC)
Date: Fri., Dec. 7, 8 p.m.
Arena: Romano Gymnasium
Live Stats: http://sports.umdbulldogs.com/MBB/xlive.htm
Away Team: University of Minnesota, Crookston (3-2, 0-1 NSIC)
Home Team: St. Cloud State University (4-0, 1-0 NSIC)
Date: Sat., Dec. 8, 6 p.m.
Arena: Halenbeck Hall
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/stcloudstate/mbball/scoreboard.aspx
Twitter: UMCAthletics
Facebook: Golden Eagle Sports

Quick Hits

• Give it to Burns
    Brandon Burns has come in and been the most productive player for the Golden Eagles through four games so far this season. The junior college transfer from Baton Rouge, La., has led UMC in scoring in four out of five games this season. Burns had a season-high performance a week-and-a-half ao against Crown College. Burns had 21 points on 10-of-19 shooting. The forward is averaging 15.8 points per game this season.

•Away from Lysaker
    The Golden Eagles have two wins this season on the road as they defeated Finlandia University and Mayville State University away from Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles lost last weekend to Bemidji State in their NSIC opener but will look to get back on a winning track on the road against Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State.

•Returning from Injury
    Senior Broderick Schmidt hasn't seen the floor much this season due to a knee injury but he is slowly seeing his playing time increase as he recovers.

•Abdou a Big Presence on the Boards
    Earlier this season senior forward Abdou Niang set the school record with 22 boards against Finlandia University. Niang has been strong rebounding the basketball through the first five games this season as he is coming off a 12 rebound performance versus Crown College a week-and-a-half ago. Niang leads all Golden Eagles averaging 8.2 rebounds per game.

•UMC/St. Cloud State Connection
    The University of Minnesota, Crookston and St. Cloud State has a connection. St. Cloud State's leading scorer Theo Rothstein is the brother of former UMC women's basketball player and current Golden Eagle women's basketball manager, Carly Rothstein.

•Playing Ranked Foes
    The Golden Eagles will face their ranked foe this season as they take on No. 14 St. Cloud State Saturday.

The Scoop

    The University of Minnesota, Crookston will look to rebound after a NSIC loss to Bemidji State as they head to University of Minnesota Duluth and No. 14 St. Cloud State University.

Previewing the Golden Eagles

    The University of Minnesota, Crookston enters the weekend with a 3-2 mark (0-1 NSIC). UMC fell 90-58 in their NSIC opener last weekend at Bemidji State University. The Golden Eagles have been led all season long by 6-6 junior forward Brandon Burns, who is averaging 15.8 points per game. Senior guard Almir Krdzalic comes into the weekend averaging 9.2 points per game while senior guard Justin Rake is averaging 8.0 points per game. The Golden Eagles were led last weekend by junior Ashton Harrell, who tallied 15 points against Bemidji State. Harrell was the first person to lead the Golden Eagles in scoring
other than Burns. UMC is getting out-scored by their opponents 67.0 to 65.8.
    UMC has been led on the boards by senior forward Abdou Niang, who is averaging 8.2 rebounds per game while Justin Rake is averaging 6.4 rebounds per game. The Golden Eagles are out-rebounding their opponents 35.0 to 28.4.

Previewing the Bulldogs

    The University of Minnesota Duluth comes into the weekend with a 2-3 mark (0-1 NSIC) under first-year head coach Matt Bowen, who came over from Bemidji State, where he led the Beavers to a NSIC title. The Bulldogs fell 97-68 in their NSIC opener at No. 14 St. Cloud State last weekend.
    The Bulldogs are led by senior guard Jake Hottenstine, who comes in averaging 14.3 points per game. Hottenstine is shooting 46.2 percent from beyond the arc. Along with Hottenstine, guard Jordan Reetz and center Brett Ervin are also averaging double-figures as both players come in averaging 11.0 points per game. UMD is getting out-scored by opponents 75.2 to 66.2 this season.
    The Bulldogs are out-rebounding their opponents 35.8 to 33.8 this season. They have been led on the boards by Reece Zoelle (5.3 rpg) and Jordan Reetz (5.0 rpg).

Previewing the Huskies

    The St. Cloud State University Huskies come into the weekend with an unblemished 4-0 (1-0 NSIC) mark. The Huskies opened up NSIC play last weekend with a 97-68 win over Minnesota Duluth. St. Cloud State is led by 6-6 senior forward Theo Rothstein, who comes in averaging 20.5 points per game. Rothstein is joined by Damaris Cruz, who is averaging 12.3 points per game, and Shaun Jensen, who is averaging 11.3 points per game, as players averaging double-figure scoring. Jensen has been a dominant point guard for the Huskies, averaging 8.0 assists per game. The Huskies are out-scoring their opponents 81.5 to 64.3
    St. Cloud State is led on the boards by Connor Niehaus, who is averaging 7.5 rebounds per game, and Rothstein, who is averaging 6.8 rebounds per game. The Huskies are out-rebounding foes 39.5 to 37.5 this season.