Box Score To view interviews with Head Coach Jeff Oseth and players Derrick Redd and Brandon Burns visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD9tL1xk8Rg

CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team used balanced scoring from all-around and strong play in the paint to upend Finlandia University 81-61 Wednesday night in a non-conference tilt at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles improve to 2-1 in non-conference play while Finlandia drops to 0-3.

The Golden Eagles had a strong second half, as they connected on 15-of-24 attempts for 62.5 percent to out-score the Lions 41-26 after leading by just five (40-35) at the break. Minnesota Crookston had four different players score double-figures on the night. Brandon Burns (Sr., F, Baton Rouge, La./Sports and Rec Management) led the way with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting and chipped in five boards. Ashton Harrell (Sr., G, Houston, Texas/Sports and Rec Management) added 14 points, with five rebounds and three assists.

UMC's double-figure scoring was rounded out by 13 points off the bench from Derrick Redd (So., G, Menifee, Calif./Sports and Rec Management), who has provided instant energy in UMC's up-tempo offense in the last two games. Tyler West, Jr. (Jr., F, Portland, Ore./Communications) added 12 points and five boards for UMC.

John Hughes (So., F, Tualatin, Ore./Management) also provided instant energy off the bench as the former wildland firefighter turned hoopster added eight points and five rebounds off the bench for the Golden Eagles.  

UMC finished the game shooting 31-of-56 for 55.4 percent and were 6-of-15 for 40.0 percent from downtown. The Golden Eagles were 13-of-17 for 76.5 percent from the charity stripe. The Golden Eagles did have problems holding onto the ball Wednesday night, as the team had 18 turnovers, led by five from Harrell. UMC out-rebounded the Lions narrowly 35-34 led by five boards from West, Harrell, Burns and Hughes.

Finlandia was 23-of-61 from the field for 37.7 percent and shot a lot of threes on the game, attempting 28 but only connecting on eight for 28.6 percent. The Lions struggled immensely in the second half from three-point range as they only hit 1-of-12 attempts. FU was led on the game by 26 points and seven boards from Dominic Morrow, who was 12-of-19 from the field. Matt Strong and Brandon Robinson each added 10 for the Lions. Finlandia struggled with turnovers all game long as they finished with 13 assists to 26 turnovers on the game.

UMC came into the game knowing they had an advantage in the paint and utilized it as 42 of the Golden Eagles points came in the paing for the game. In addition, the Golden Eagles had solid production from the bench as they accounted for 31 points.

The Lions would hang tough early on in the game and would be right in the thick of things at the break. The Golden Eagles would go ahead eight with 2:16 remaining after a Harrell lay-up but Finlandia would quickly cut the lead to five at 40-35 after a three from Strong to go into the break.

Finlandia would get as close as five again at the 10:05 mark of the second half after a Morrow lay-in but the Golden Eagles would take control from there, going on a 24-9 the rest of the game to take the game 81-61. UMC would force six turnovers in the final 10 minutes as Finlandia would struggle to hit a shot. The Golden Eagles were led down the stretch by the play Burns' seven points.

Minnesota Crookston will wrap up their non-conference slate on the road at Jamestown College Sat., Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. The Jimmies are currently 4-4 on the season. They picked up a win over Dickinson State University tonight.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

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).