CROOKSTON, Minn. – Friday evening's men's basketball match-up at Lysaker Gymnasium was about as evenly matched as you could find, and it showed as the crowd got what they paid for as the University of Minnesota Crookston hung on to a 70-68 win over Wayne State College (Neb.). The Golden Eagles had some luck go their way, but came away with big plays down the stretch with clutch free throws and a big rebound from Nate Lorenz (Fr., F/C, Breckenridge, Minn./Health Science) and a big steal from C.J. Polk (So., G, Milwaukee, Wis./Sports and Rec Management).

The Golden Eagles were led by the play of Kobe Critchley (Fr., G, Roseville, Minn./Health Science). The freshman showed confidence in his shot from the get-go and it showed as he finished with a career-high 18 points on 5-of-9 from the field and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Critchley came into Friday's game shooting just 21.4 percent (3-of-14) from behind the three-point line.

In addition to Critchley, Polk added 16 points and six assists. Derrick Redd, Jr. (Sr., G, Menifee, Calif./Sports and Rec Management) chipped in 10 points. Lorenz didn't score until late but came up in big moments, with seven points and seven boards. Gable Smith (R-Fr., F, Lodi, Wis./Management) did a lot of little things well with four points, six rebounds and five blocks on defense.

The Golden Eagles shot 25-of-54 for 46.3 percent from the field and 9-of-17 for 52.9 percent from beyond the arc led by Critchley's four treys. They were also 11-of-15 for 73.3 percent from the charity stripe.

Wayne State had a balanced attack Friday. The Wildcats were led by 13 points from Matt Thomas, who struggled from the field (3-of-10), but made up for it going 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. Brian Goodwin added 13 points, including going 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. David Andersen came off the bench for nine points and seven boards, while Joel Heesch added eight points and five boards.

Wayne State was 21-of-52 for 40.4 percent from the field. They were 7-of-11 for 63.6 percent from behind the three-point line and 19-of-27 for 70.4 percent from the free-throw line.

The Golden Eagles would be able to get out to a 10-point lead on the Wildcats in the first half (29-19) after a Critchley three with 7:13 remaining. Wayne State would not go away though as they went on an 11-0 run and took the lead 30-29 on an Austin Esters free-throw shot. During that period, the Wildcats would hold the Golden Eagles scoreless for over six minutes.

UMC would lift the lid on the hoop as Chase Knickerbocker (Fr., G/F, Annandale, Minn./Finance) hit a clutch three with 37 seconds left. Heesch would knot it up at 32-32 on a lay-up with 13 seconds left, but Critchley would end the half with a three as UMC went into the locker room with a 35-32 advantage.

The Golden Eagles would control play early in the second half as they out-scored their opponents 18-7 in the first six minutes led by three-pointers from Critchley and Redd.

Wayne State would find a way back as they would out-score UMC 18-4 over the next seven minutes culminating with a Goodwin three to tie the score up 57-57 with 6:58 remaining.

UMC would get the lead back and would go up 61-58 on a Lorenz lay-up with 4:03 left. But the Wildcats stuck around as they knotted it up on a Thomas three with 1:58 remaining.

The Golden Eagles would continue to hang on as they went up 69-67 on a Polk lay-up. He then came up with a big steal with 59 seconds left. However, Andersen would go 1-of-2 from the line as Wayne State got the ball back to cut the lead to 69-68 with 33 seconds left.

After a Critchley offensive foul, Wayne State would get three chances at taking the lead but the rim was UMC's friend as it continued to roll off until Lorenz secured the rebound. He was fouled, making 1-of-2 from the line to put UMC up 70-68 with 2.8 seconds left. The Wildcats got one last shot as Thomas put up the half-court prayer, which nearly was answered but rolled off UMC's favorite rim as the Golden Eagles would hang on for win.

UMC will welcome No. 2 Augustana University to town Sat., Dec. 12 at 6 p.m., as they look to build off their first conference win of the 2015-16 season.

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).