Game Notes

Gameday Info

Away Team: (22) St. Cloud State University (19-5, 16-5 NSIC)
Home Team: University of Minnesota, Crookston (3-21, 0-20 NSIC)
Date: Fri., Feb. 22
Arena: Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Stats: https://netfiles.umn.edu/users/smithsd/livestats/xlive.htm
Away Team: University of Minnesota Duluth (7-17, 5-15 NSIC)
Home Team: University of Minnesota, Crookston (3-21, 0-20 NSIC)
Date: Sat., Feb. 23
Arena: Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Stats: https://netfiles.umn.edu/users/smithsd/livestats/xlive.htm
Twitter: UMCAthletics
Facebook: Golden Eagle Sports

Quick Hits

•Harrell Stepping Up
    Ashton Harrell has really upped his game as of late as the Golden Eagle has tallied double-figure scoring in seven of the last nine games. Prior to that Harrell had only tallied double figures in two games. Harrell is averaging 12.3 points per game over the last nine games. He had a season-high 17 points against Sioux Falls Feb. 1 and 16 against U-Mary last weekend.

•Dishing it Up
    Almir Krdzalic has stepped up his game overall and especially in his role of a point guard as of late. The point guard did not play against Minot State but prio to that the senior from Sioux Falls, S.D. was averaging 4.5 assists per game in the last 11 games and has upped his season average to 3.7 assists per game. Krdzalic had a season-high seven assists against Northern State University earlier this season. Krdzalic is currently ranked seventh in the NSIC for assists. He tallied four assists against Concordia-St. Paul and five versus Minnesota State two weeks ago.
Krdzalic is slowly closing in on the school record for career assists. The senior has 269 assists and is just 29 dishes behind Lee Roberts' school record of 298 which will be feasible but difficult to accomplish with three assured games left in the season with two games this weekend and the first round of the NSIC Tournament.

• An Added Spark
    A.J. Barge, a quarterback for the UMC football team, has had an impact on the team since joining the basketball team at semester. Barge is averaging 4.8 points per game since joining the team. Barge has scored double figures twice in the last three games with 12 versus Minnesota State Feb. 9 and 10 against Minot State Feb. 16.


• Connections
    St. Cloud State and UMC have a pair of connections. SCSU star Theo Rothstein's sister Carly Rothstein played basketball for Mike Roysland's team up until last season. Also, SCSU player Damarius Cruz played for the Golden Eagles as a freshman during the 2009-10 campaign.

The Scoop

    The University of Minnesota, Crookston men's basketball team will take on No. 22 St. Cloud State University and University of Minnesota Duluth for their final home games of the season Fri., Feb. 22 and Sat., Feb. 23. Saturday will serve as senior day for the Golden Eagles as they honor seniors Almir Krdzalic, Abdou Niang, Justin Rake and Broderick Schmidt


Previewing the Golden Eagles
    Men
    The Golden Eagle men's basketball team comes into Friday with an overall record of 3-20 (0-20 NSIC). UMC is looking for their first win in conference play this season as they close out regular season play against St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth. The Golden Eagles have been led as of late by Ashton Harrell (Jr., G, Houston, Texas). Harrell is averaging 10.8 points per game in the last nine contests. Harrell has upped his average to 8.9 points per game. On the season, UMC has been led by Brandon Burns (Jr., F, Baton Rouge, La.), who is averaging 10.1 points per game. UMC has also gotten an added boost by football player turned UMC guard A.J. Barge (R-Fr., Carrollton, Ga.). Barge is averaging 4.8 points per game in just nine contests this season since joining the team at semester. He tallied 12 points versus Minnesota State Feb. 9 and 10 against Minot State Feb. 16. The Golden Eagles come into the weekend shooting 41.0 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from beyond the arc. The Golden Eagles are being out-rebounded on the season 33.0 to 28.8. James Sparkman (R-Jr., Ypsilanti, Mich.) leads the team in rebounding this year with 5.0 rebounds per game.

Previewing the Huskies

    Men
    The Huskies come into the weekend with an overall mark of 19-5 (15-5 NSIC). No. 22 St. Cloud State is currently in the lead of the NSIC North Division. The Huskies have three players averaging double-figure scoring this season. Theo Rothstein leads the Huskies with an average of 17.0 points per game. He is joined by Shaun Jensen's 13.3 points per contest and former UMC hoopster Damaris Cruz's 10.8 points per game. St. Cloud State is shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three led by Cruz's 44.1 percent and Jordan Poydras' 45.5 percent. The Huskies are being out-rebounded 35.0 to 31.3 per game.

Previewing the Bulldogs

    Men
    The UMC men's basketball team is in its first season led by former Bemidji State University coach Matt Bowen. The Bulldogs have struggled this season with a 7-17 (5-15 NSIC) overall record. UMD has been led by Jake Hottenstine's 16.0 points per game and Brett Ervin's 15.2 points per contest. The Bulldogs are shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. The Bulldogs are out-rebounding teams 32.1 to 32.0 this season led by 4.5 rebounds per game from Ervin.