CROOKSTON, Minn. – The duo of Assem Marei and Zach Monaghan lifted No. 21 Minnesota State University, Mankato to an 80-50 win over University of Minnesota Crookston Saturday at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn. Marei had a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Monaghan had 22 points and nine assists. The Golden Eagles fall to 6-10 (4-8 NSIC), while Minnesota State improves to 14-3 (9-2 NSIC). UMC has now lost five-straight games.

The Golden Eagles were led on the game by the play of Tim Lubke (Sr., G, St. Paul, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) off the bench. Lubke had 11 points for UMC, while Kevin Larson (Sr., G, New Ulm, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) added 10 points and Derrick Redd, Jr. (Jr., G, Menifee, Calif./Sports and Rec Management) chipped in nine points and three assists.

UMC was 21-of-54 from the field for 38.4 percent and 7-of-19 for 36.8 percent from beyond the arc.

The Golden Eagles had good moments but the Mavericks had better ones as the Mavericks shot 32-of-59 for 54.2 percent from the field and were 5-of-19 for 26.3 percent from beyond the arc. In addition, they were 11-of-14 for 78.6 percent from the charity stripe.

In addition to Marei and Monaghan, Conner Miller added 14 points, while T.J. Lake had 13 points and six
 rebounds.

UMC hung with the Mavericks early, finding themselves down 39-28 at the half. UMC would have an overall strong half from the field, going 44.4 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc led by five points from Larson and Lubke. However, Minnesota State would shoot 51.6 percent from the field in the first half led by 16 from Monaghan and 15 from Marei as they accounted for 31 of 39 points. The most UMC would trail by in the first half would be 14 points.

Minnesota State would take over in the second half led by back-to-back three-pointers from Mike Busack and Lake as they would take a 23-point lead with 11:44 left in the game. Minnesota State would control the game for the rest of it, coming away with an 80-50 win over the Golden Eagles.

UMC will return to action as they take on No. 12 Minnesota State University Moorhead on the road in Moorhead, Minn. at 8 p.m. Fri. Jan. 23.


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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).