Box Score CROOKSTON, Minn.- A dominant first half in which No. 18 Minnesota State University, Mankato out-scored Minnesota Crookston 41-13 led the Mavericks past the University of Minnesota Crookston Sat., Feb. 15 at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn. The Golden Eagles bounced back in the second half to make things competitive, out-scoring the Mavericks 42-41 to make the final result 82-55 in favor of Minnesota State.

The game was the final one of the season for the Golden Eagles who held Senior Night Saturday to honor two players who have played their last game at Lysaker Gymnasium. Brandon Burns (Sr., F, Baton Rouge, La./Sports and Rec Management) and Ashton Harrell (Sr., G, Houston, Texas/Sports and Rec Management) were both honored before the game.

The Golden Eagles drop to 4-20 overall (1-19 NSIC) as they lost their 18th straight game, dating back to a Dec. 6 win over University of Minnesota Duluth. The season got tougher from there, especially when they lost Harrell, their leading scorer, to a season-ending knee injury. Minnesota State improves to 23-4 (17-3 NSIC) with Saturday's win.

The Golden Eagles were paced by Burns, who had a strong Senior night, finishing with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field, going of 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe. He added two rebounds and two steals. In addition to Burns, UMC looked to Giorgi Koguashvili (Jr., G, Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia), who has been playing solid basketball for the Golden Eagles over the last month. Koguashvili came into the weekend averaging 11.4 points per game in the last seven games. Koguashvili tallied eight last night and had 15 on 7-of-9 shooting from the field for the Golden Eagles Saturday.  Koguashvili and Burns ignited UMC's solid rally in the second half. Koguashvili had 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting, while Burns added 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, with three made treys.

The Golden Eagles ended the game shooting 19-of-52 for 36.5 percent after going just 5-of-22 for 22.7 percent in the first half. In addition, they were 5-of-16 for 31.3 percent from the field and 12-of-14 for 85.7 percent from the charity stripe. UMC finished the game with 10 turnovers and were out-rebounded 39-27.

The Mavericks had the reverse story as UMC, with a great first half but a lesser second half. Minnesota State shot 18-of-33 for 54.5 percent in the first half and finished the game going 34-of-66 for 51.5 percent from the field. The Mavericks were 9-of-32 for 28.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Minnesota State was led by the play of point guard Zach Monaghan, who broke the assist mark for the Mavericks in a single season with his 10 helpers Saturday. Monaghan completed a double-double with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting. In addition, Assem Marei had 17 points on 8of-10 shooting with nine boards. While Zach Romashko added 12 points and Jaymeson Moten chipped in 11, both off of the bench.

The Mavericks had 20 assists to just seven turnovers in Saturday's game.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up the 2013-14 regular season on the road against St. Cloud State University and University of Minnesota Duluth. Minnesota Crookston would currently be slatedto play either Minnesota State or Winona State on the road i nthe first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament.

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).