Game Notes

Gameday Info

Away Team: Northern State University (14-5, 9-3 NSIC)
Home Team: University of Minnesota, Crookston (3-13, 0-12 NSIC)
Date: Fri., Jan. 25
Arena: Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Stats: https://netfiles.umn.edu/users/smithsd/livestats/xlive.htm
Away Team: Minnesota State University, Moorhead (14-4, 8-4 NSIC)
Home Team: University of Minnesota, Crookston (3-13, 0-12 NSIC)
Date: Sat., Jan. 26
Arena: Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Stats: https://netfiles.umn.edu/users/smithsd/livestats/xlive.htm
Radio: KROX 1260 AM (Chris Fee)
Twitter: UMCAthletics
Facebook: Golden Eagle Sports

Quick Hits

•Dishing it Up
    Almir Krdzalic has stepped up his game overall and especially in his role of a point guard as of late. The senior from Sioux Falls, S.D. is averaging 4.75 assists per game in the last four contests and has upped his seasona verage to 3.4 assists per game. Krdzalic is currently ranked seventh in the NSIC for assists. In addition, Krdzalic is slowly closing in on the school record for career assists. The senior has 240 assists and is just 58 dishes behind Lee Roberts' school record of 298 which is feasible to accomplish in the 10 games left.

•From Downtown...
    UMC has really stepped it up from beyond the arc in the last nine games as the Golden Eagles have five or more made treys during eight of those contests. UMC hit a season-high 10 threes against Augustana Jan. 12 and were 9-of-17 for 52.9 percent against MSU Moorhead Jan. 4. Prior to the Minot State game Dec. 14, the Golden Eagles had not hit more than four treys in a game. UMC comes into Friday shooting 32.3 percent as a team led by Almir Krdzalic's 52.2 percent while Tim Lubke is shooting 47.1 percent.

•Looking to Get on a Winning Track
    The Golden Eagles remain winless in the NSIC and are currently on a 13-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 Northern State and MSU Moorhead.

The Scoop

        The University of Minnesota, Crookston men's basketball team will look to end a winless NSIC season as they host Northern State and MSU Moorhead this weekend. Friday will serve as Crookston Youth Basketball Night as teams will be playing at half-time of both games. In addition, the Crookston High School band will be performing during both games Friday.

Previewing the Golden Eagles
    Men
    The UMC men's basketball team enters the weekend with a mark of 3-13 (0-12 NSIC) and are still in search of their first conference victory this season heading into games against Northern State and MSU Moorhead. The Golden Eagles put together great first halfs on the weekend versus Upper Iowa University and Winona State University as they led their opponents during both games in the opening periods. However, each opponent put together strong second halfs to come victorious in the respective games.
    UMC has two players averaging double-figure scoring on the season in Brandon Burns (Jr., F, Baton Rouge, La.) and Almir Krdzalic (Sr., G, Sioux Falls, S.D.). Burns is averaging 11.5 points per game while Krdzalic is averaging 10.0 points and 3.4 assists per game. In addition, junior college guard Ashton Harrell (Houston, Texas) has come on strong of late. Harrell is averaging 7.2 points per game this season but is averaging 8.2 points in the last six games. Harrell scored 15 points versus Winona State Saturday. He has scored in double-figures three times this season with 15 against Bemidji State Dec. 1 and 16 against St. Cloud State Dec. 8.
    The Golden Eagles are averaging 57.7 points per game to their opponents' 67.3 points per game. UMC is shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from beyond the arc. They are just narrowly being out-rebounded by their foes 30.5 to 29.8 boards per game.

   
Previewing the Wolves

    Men
    The Northern State men's basketball squad is currently in a tie for first place in the North Division with a 14-5 (9-3 NSIC) record. The Wolves split last weekend with a loss to Southwest Minnesota State and a win over Sioux Falls. The Wolves have been led this season by 6-6 senior foward Colin Pryor's 15.5 points per game while Dustin Tetzlaff is adding 10.8 points per game and Michael Emge averaged 10.7 points per contest.


Previewing the Dragons

    Men
    The Dragons currently boast a 14-4 (8-4 NSIC) record which is good for third in the NSIC North. MSU Moorhead is guided by the 20.7 points per game from Winona State University and University of Iowa transfer Anthony Tucker. Alex Novak averages 12.6 points per game while Jordan Riewer is averaging 11.4 points per contest. The Dragons split last weekend with a win over Sioux Falls and a loss to Southwest Minnesota State.