Box Score CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota, Crookston was unable to stop an efficient Bemidji State University offense as the Golden Eagles fell 75-57 to the Beavers. Bemidji State shot 26-of-56 for 46.4 percent from the field and 7-of-22 from 31.8 percent from beyond the arc. The Golden Eagles remain winless in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) as they fall to 3-11 (0-10 NSIC). Bemidji State, the 2011-12 regular-season NSIC champion, improves to 8-6 (6-4 NSIC).
 
The Golden Eagles were led by senior point guard Almir Krdzalic (Sioux Falls, S.D.), who was 5-of-12 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc as he poured in 16 points. Krdzalic has been very productive as of late for UMC as he had 18 points versus Augustana College Saturday. Justin Rake (Sr., G, Petal, Miss.) added nine points while James Sparkman (R-Jr., F, Ypsilanti, Mich.) and Brandon Burns (Jr., F, Baton Rouge, La.) each added eight points. UMC shot 19-of-52 for 36.5 percent from the field and 5-of-16 for 31.3 percent from behind the three-point line.
 
Bemidji State was led by dual-sport athlete Lance Rongstad, also the starting quarterback for the football team, who connected on 8-of-13 from the field, 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and 7-of-8 from the free throw line to finish with 26 points. Senior forward Mason Walters added 15 points while Dermaine Crockrell chipped in 13 points and Zach Noreen added 10.
 
BSU out-rebounded UMC narrowly 37-35. Rongstad led the Beavers with eight rebounds while Krdzalic led the way with six points.
 
Bemidji State jumped out to a 14-7 lead as Rongstad scored 10 points in the first four minutes of the game. The Golden Eagles closed to within one point at 22-21 with 8:09 left in the first period led by four points apiece during the run from Rake and Burns. BSU was able to quickly jump out to a 30-21 led by Crockrell. The Beavers would end up going into the break with a 45-29 advantage.
 
BSU shot 17-of-33 for 51.5 percent in the first half paced by 13 points from Rongstad, 13 from Walters and 10 from Crockrell. The Golden Eagles shot 11-of-26 for 42.3 percent from the field in the first half. They were 1-of-8 for 12.5 percent from three-point land. Krdzalic led the way with 10 points while Sparkman added six.
 
The Golden Eagles came out in the second half and were able to get BSU's advantage down to 11 (52-41) at the 14:56 mark led by five points from Rake. Bemidji State then widened their lead back out to 17 (60-43) at the 11:35 mark after threes from Jason Edwards and Noreen. BSU was able to extend their lead from there getting up by as many as 26 points (73-47) at the 4:28 mark following a Walters lay-up. The Golden Eagles get deficit back down to 17 (75-58) at the end of the game.
 
The Golden Eagles will look for that elusive first NSIC victory as they head to Upper Iowa University Friday for a 8 p.m. start and Winona State University Saturday with a 6 p.m. start.
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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