Game Notes

Quick Hits

•Lubke on Fire from Downtownn; Others Follow Suit
    Tim Lubke (So., G, St. Paul, Minn.) is third in the NSIC shooting 51.6 percent from beyond the arc. Lubke hit five three-pointers in a near victory against University of Mary Dec. 15 for his top performance of the season.  Several other players have followed suit of late as Brandon Burns (Jr., F, Baton Rouge, La.), Almir Krdzalic (Sr., G, Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Justin Rake (Sr., G, Petal, Miss.) all had strong nights from beyond the arc against Augustana College last Saturday. The Golden Eagles hit a combined 10 treys against Augustana. Krdzalic has improved his percentage to 50.0 percent on the season.

•Krdzalic Stepping Up
    Almir Krdzalic (Sr., G, Sioux Falls, S.D.) has been stepping it up as of late as he wraps up his senior season with the Golden Eagles. Krdzalic is already rated in the NSIC for assists (T-11), steals (13) and assist-turnover ratio (12). Krdzalic has also scored double figues in his last two games with 18 versus Augustana and 16 against Bemidji State. Krdzalic is averaging 10.3 points per game this season.

•Looking to Get on a Winning Track
    The Golden Eagles remain winless in the NSIC and are currently on a 11-game losing streak with their last win coming Nov. 20 at Mayville State. UMC has been close several times in the losing streak as five of the losses have been by eight points or less including a last second one-point loss to U-Mary and a five-point loss to MSU Moorhead. UMC will look to snap the skid against Upper Iowa and Winona State this weekend.

The Scoop

        The University of Minnesota, Crookston men's basketball team is looking to end an 11-game skid and get a win in the NSIC but it will be tough as they head to face two of the best teams in the NSIC South Division in Upper Iowa University and Winona State University.


Previewing the Golden Eagles
    Men
    The UMC men's basketball team enters the weekend with a 3-11 (0-10 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles most recently fell to Bemidji State Tuesday 75-57.
    The Golden Eagles have been led on the season by junior college transfer Brandon Burns, a 6-6 forward, who is averaging 11.9 points per game. UMC has gotten added production as of late from Almir Krdzalic, their point guard who is coming off two double-figure scoring performances against Augustana and Bemidji State. He is averaging 10.3 points per game and has been stronger from beyond the arc of late shooting 50.0 percent from beyond the arc. Justin Rake has also had added production for the Golden Eagles and is averaging 7.7 points per game for UMC.
    UMC is being out-rebounded narrowly on the season by the tune of 30.1 to 29.5. The Golden Eagles have been led on the boards by Abdou Niang (4.9 rpg) and James Sparkman (4.4 rpg).
    The Golden Eagles have struggled to score points this season as they are averaging 58.6 points per game while giving up 66.8 points per game to their opponents. UMC is shooting 43.9 percent from the field this season and 31.1 percent from beyond the arc led by Tim Lubke's 51.6 percent.


   
Previewing the Peacocks

    Men
    The senior-led Upper Iowa Peacocks have had a strong start to the season with a mark of 11-5 (7-3 NSIC) so far this season. The Peacocks have been led by senior forward Tucker Wentzien's 12.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He is joined by fellow seniors Sam Elgin and Jake Hughes. Elgin is averaging 11.2 points per game while Hughes is averaging 9.6 points per game.
    Upper Iowa is coming off wins last weekend against Minot State and U-Mary and a loss to Winona State at home. The Peacocks have been narrowly out-scored by their foes 68.4 to 68.7. Upper Iowa is shooting 45.2 percent on the season and 33.7 percent from beyond the arc led by Jake Hughes' 55.6 percent.

Previewing the Warriors

    Men
    Winona State, a traditional NSIC power, has gotten off to a 14-3 (8-2 NSIC) mark so far this season under head coach Mike Leaf. The Warriors are led by Wisconsin-LaCrosse transfer Grant Johnson, who just returned the court and has played in only two games but is averaging 19.0 points in those two games. Johnson is joined by Iowa State transfer Clayton Vette, a 6-9 center averaging 18.8 points and 8.6 rebounds. Guard Xavier Humphrey is also averaging double-figures this season at a 11.2 clip.
    Winona State is out-rebounding opponents 36.6 to 33.7 this season led by Vette's 8.6 rebounds per game. The Warriors are shooting 45.4 percent as a team and 34.8 percent from beyond the arc led by Kellen Taylor's 58.3 percent. Winona State is averaging 71.0 points per game and giving up 62.9 points per game
defensively.