Box Score DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota, Crookston went toe-to-toe with University of Minnesota Duluth Friday night at Romano Gymnasium but ultimately came up just short losing 66-61 to the Bulldogs. The Golden Eagles fall to 3-3 (0-2 NSIC). UMD improves to 3-3 (1-1 NSIC). UMC used strong defense forcing 16 UMD turnovers and shot 47.3 percent on the night led by 20 points from junior college transfer Brandon Burns (F, Baton Rouge, La.), who has led the Golden Eagles in scoring in five-out-of-six games this season. UMC was without NSIC Preseason Player to Watch Almir Krdzalic (Sr., G, Sioux Falls, S.D.) on the night due to injury.

In addition to Burns, James Sparkman (R-Jr., F, Ypsilanti, Mich.) added 14 points on 7-of-13 shooting while Justin Rake (Sr., G, Petal, Miss.) added eight points, as did Abdou Niang (Sr., F, Dakar, Senegal) coming off the bench. Joseph Moorer (Fr., G, Los Angeles, Calif.), making only his second career start at the point guard spot for the Golden Eagles, had four points and five assists. The Golden Eagles had 14 turnovers on the night while forcing 16 for the Bulldogs. Sparkman led the Golden Eagles with three steals.

UMD out-rebounded UMC 40-24. The Golden Eagles were led on the boards by Sparkman and Niang, each with four rebounds.

The Bulldogs finished the game shooting 20-of-50 for 40.0 percent. Jake Hottenstine led the Bulldogs with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Three other UMD players scored in double-figures as Brett Ervin tallied 15, Reece Zoelle chipped in 12 and Callahan Skogman tallied 11.

The Bulldogs were led on the boards by Ervin with eight while Jordan Reetz added six for UMD.

The Golden Eagles went into the break down only six 37-31 after using a 6-2 run to end the first half. Down the stretch of the opening period, UMC was guided by key baskets from Burns and Sparkman, along with two converted free throws by Rake. The Golden Eagles were led by 14 first-half points from Burns, who was 7-of-10 in the opening period. He was aided by Sparkman, who added six points in the first half. The Golden Eagles shot 13-of-23 for a dominant 56.5 percent in the opening period.

Minnesota Duluth opened the first period shooting 13-of-27 for 48.1 percent from the field and 2-of-9 for 22.2 percent from beyond the arc. UMD was paced in the opening period by center Ervin, who had 12 points while Hottenstine added 10 points. The Bulldogs out-rebounded the Golden Eagles 15 to 10 in the opening half.

In the second half, the Bulldogs would look on several occasions like they might put it away but the Golden Eagles were relentless as they just kept coming back.

After being down just six at the break, UMC was unable to stop UMD early in the half as they used two free throws by Jordan Reetz, a free throw from Ervin and a lay-up from Hottenstine to get out to an 11-point advantage with 15:49 remaining.

But the Golden Eagles would strike back as they cut it back to a seven-point UMD advantage at the 15:02 mark using converted jumpers from Burns and Sparkman. The Bulldogs would extend their lead back out to nine twice before UMC made a comeback attempt again using a Niang three and a Rake lay-up to cut the Bulldog lead to four with 8:43 remaining.

UMD would again get the lead out to nine using a three from Skogman and free throws from Ervin but the Golden Eagles would eventually cut into that lead using free throws from Burns and two jumpers from Sparkman to cut the Bulldog lead to only three with 2:57 remaining.

UMD's Zoelle hit two free throws to get the lead back out to five, but a Rake lay-up cut it down to three again at the 2:15 mark but that would be as close as the Golden Eagles would get as the Bulldogs connected on 4-of-6 free throws down the stretch to hold on for the victory.

UMD is in their first season under the guidance of Matt Bowen, who came over from Bemidji State University where he led the Beavers to a NSIC title last season.

The Golden Eagles will look to build off a tough performance as they head to St. Cloud State University tomorrow for a 6 p.m. tilt against the No. 14 Huskies.

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).