Box Score WAYNE, Neb.- Despite leading at the half, the University of Minnesota Crookston fell to Wayne State College (Neb.) 65-51 after a strong second half for the Wildcats. Wayne State controlled play in the second half after a solid first half for Minnesota Crookston. The Wildcats out-scored UMC 37-22 in the second frame.

Minnesota Crookston drops to 4-9 (1-8 NSIC). Wayne State improves to 7-6 (4-5 NSIC). The Golden Eagles have now dropped seven straight games since defeating University of Minnesota Duluth Dec. 6.  

Minnesota Crookston was led by the play of Brandon Burns (Sr., F, Baton Rouge, La./Sports and Rec Management). Burns finished with 21 points on 9-of-21 shooting fro mthe field with three treys on the game. Burns also had five rebounds on the game. Tyler West, Jr. (Jr., F, Portland, Ore./Communications) had a near double-double of nine points and nine boards and also added four assists. The Golden Eagles shot 22-of-57 from the field for 38.6 percent and were 6-of-22 for 27.3 percent.

The Golden Eagles shot just 10-of-29 from the field in the second half for 34.4 percent and were 2-of-12 from three-point range on the game.

Wayne State shot 22-of-47 for 46.8 percent from the field and 4-of-10 for 40 percent from three. The Wildcats dominated the charity stripe, shooting 20 more free throws than the Golden Eagles. Wayne State connected on 17-of-23 free throws for 73.9 percent on the game.

The Wildcats were led by 15 points from Ryan Rolfzen, including three treys, while Jared Bartling had 15, as well. Adol Aluong and Damjan Sredanovic each had nine.

The Golden Eagles went into the break with a 29-28 advantage after a strong first half from Burns, who had 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field. Howell and West added five first-half points. The Golden Eagles shot 12-of-28 from the field for 42.9 percent and were 4-of-10 for 40.0 percent from trey.

Minnesota Crookston out-rebounded the Wildcats 18-16. West and Burns led the Golden Eagles with five boards.

Wayne State shot 11-of-27 for 40.7 percent and went 3-of-5 for 60 percent from three. The Wildcats were led by Rolfzen, who connected on three treys to finish with 13 first-half points.

Wayne State would out-score UMC 37-22 in the second half in order to take down the Golden Eagles Friday.

After a back-and-forth first 10 minutes, the Wildcats would take the lead with a 4-0 run led by made baskets from Joel Heesch and Rolfzen to go up 47-45 with 9:52 remaining in the second half. Wayne State would extend their advantage to seven (52-45) with a Heesch trey and two Bartling free throws. The Wildcats would get their lead out even further to 10 following two Aluong free throws.

The Golden Eagles would look to make a late comeback with a Burns lay-in with 2:29 remaining to cut the Wayne State advantage to eight but Wayne State would stave off their attempts as they came away with the 61-51 win over the Golden Eagles.

Bartling led Wayne State in the second half with 11 points, after having just four at the break for the Wildcats. Bartling was crucial for Wayne State from the charity stripe.

The Golden Eagles will continue the road trip as they take on Augustana College (S.D.) at 6 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D. Sat., Jan. 11.

Minnesota Crookston will face Augustana College (S.D.) Sat., Jan. 11 at 4 p.m., as they continue their road trip.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website 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).