CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team battled but a 5-0 run near the close of the game would deliver a win for Northern State University. The Golden Eagles fall to 7-18 (5-16 NSIC) with the loss. Northern State improves to 20-7 (14-7 NSIC) with Friday night's win over Minnesota Crookston.

The Golden Eagles were led by the play of their senior class who are down to their final home game tomorrow at Lysaker Gymnasium. UMC's seniors accounted for 43 of 54 points on the game. Kevin Larson (Sr., G, New Ulm, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) led the team with 13 points on 3-of-9 shooting and 6-of-6 from the charity stripe. In addition, UMC senior Lucas Reller (Sr., G, Lead, S.D./Management), the smallest player on the court for the Golden Eagles, played with a lot of energy and almost secured a double-double with 10 points and eight boards. Tim Lubke (Sr., G, St. Paul, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) came off the bench for 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.

In addition, senior Tyler West, Jr. (Sr., G/F, Portland, Ore./Communications) added eight points and nine rebounds, while Sam Howell (Sr., G, Seattle, Wash./Sports and Rec Management) had two points.

The Golden Eagles shot 20-of-58 for 34.5 percent from the field and were 5-of-21 for 23.8 percent from
beyond the arc. They were a perfect 9-of-9 from the charity stripe.

Northern State looked to forward Seth Bachand for 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists. D.J. Pollard tallied 12 points, while Darin Peterka came off the bench for 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.

The Wolves shot 23-of-50 for 46 percent and were 6-of-17 for 35.3 percent from beyond the arc and 12-of-17 for 70.6 percent from the free-throw line.

UMC out-rebounded Northern State 34-32 led by the play of West and Reller on the boards.

The Golden Eagles and Wolves would play it close for most of the first half. Northern State would extend their lead to five (32-27) on a last second jumper from Bachand going into the break.

UMC and Northern State would again play it close early in the second half. UMC would knot up the game at 34-34 on a three-point play from Reller. The Golden Eagles would be able to take the lead for the first time in the second half as Lubke hit a three with 12:12 remaining. A lay-up from Bachand would put Northern State back on top. However two free throws from Derrick Redd, Jr. (Jr., G, Menifee, Calif./Sports and Rec Management) would give the Golden Eagles a 39-38 lead with 11:34 left. The Golden Eagles and Wolves would trade baskets the next couple of possessions but Northern State would be able to push their lead out to five with baskets from Skye Warwick and Bachand to make it 46-41 with 8:37 left. UMC would get within one once more but that is as close as they would get for the remainder.

The Wolves would be able to extend their lead to seven on a 4-0 run led by free throws from Pollard and a lay-up from Peterka to make it 52-45 with 5:37 remaining. Jumpers from Larson and Lubke would pull UMC back to within three points with 3:33 left in the game. However, an old-fashioned three-point play from Pollard and a pair of free throws from Bachand would push Northern State back out to an eight-point advantage (57-49) with 1:45 remaining. The Wolves would be able to hang on down the stretch, winning 64-54.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up their regular-season Sat., Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. against No. 8 Minnesota State University Moorhead. UMC will honor six seniors who have helped the Golden Eagles to five conference wins, the most for the program since the 2000-01 season. UMC's senior class includes Larson, Howell, Lubke, West, Reller and Tomas Parker (Sr., F/C, Peqout Lakes, Minn./Management).

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).