Box Score CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota, Crookston tried to complete the sweep on the weekend but fell just short as the University of Minnesota Duluth upended the Golden Eagles 66-64. The Golden Eagles end the regular season with a mark of 4-22 (1-21 NSIC) while UMD ends the regular season with a record of 8-18 (6-16 NSIC).
 
The Golden Eagles were led on the night by their four seniors who would account for 47 of 64 points on the night as they were determined to end their careers at Lysaker Gymnasium on a winning note. Almir Krdzalic (Sr., G, Sioux Falls, S.D.) led the charge with 20 points while Ashton Harrell (Jr., G, Houston, Texas) completed one of his best weekends as a Golden Eagle with 15 points on the night. Harrell tallied a career-high 29 in the win over No. 22 St. Cloud State Friday. Broderick Schmidt (Sr., F, Marion, S.D.) saved one of his strongest games of his career for last tallying 12 points and seven rebounds. Justin Rake (Sr., G, Petal, Miss.) added 10 points while Abdou Niang (Sr., F, Dakar, Senegal) finished with five points and six boards.
 
UMC would finish the night shooting 25-of-55 for 45.5 percent and were 4-of-16 for 25.0 percent from three.
 
UMD narrowly won the rebounding edge 26-25. Schmidt and Niang led the way on the boards for UMC. The Bulldogs were paced by six rebounds from Brett Ervin.
 
Ervin led the Bulldogs with 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Jake Hottenstine chipped in 14 points while Reece Zoelle would add 12. Jordan Reetz finished with 10 for the Bulldogs. UMD shot 24-of-40 for 60.0 percent on the night and was 4-of-9 for 44.4 percent from three.
 
UMD got out to an early 13-4 advantage on the Golden Eagles. However UMC would counter and knot the score at 17-17 at the 6:51 mark following a lay-up from Harrell. The two teams would go back-and-forth for awhile until UMD was able to get out to a three-point lead after a Hottenstine jumper made it 27-24 with 2:12 remaining. A jumper by Harrell would cut the deficit to one going into the break.
 
The Golden Eagles would jump out of the gates in the second half and take a 32-29 advantage at the 17:42 mark after a Schmidt lay-in. After going back-and-forth for awhile UMD took over the game getting out by nine (58-47) following a Peter Crawford trey at the 6:50 mark.
 
However, UMC wouldn't go away as they would cut the deficit back down to one following a Rake lay-up at the 1:14 mark. A jumper by Zoelle would give UMD a three-point advantage with 40 seconds remaining. Two Krdzalic free throws with 20 seconds to go would again cut the Bulldog advantage to one. However, UMD would continue to hit their free throws down the stretch and would hang on for the 66-64 win.
 
The Golden Eagles will face Minnesota State University, Mankato at the Taylor Center in Mankato, Minn. Wed., Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. in the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. They will be the No. 8 seed in the North while the Mavericks are the No. 1 seed in the South
 
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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