MINOT, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team fell 78-55 to Minot State University Sun., Jan. 3 at the MSU Dome in Minot, N.D. The Golden Eagles fall to 3-9 (1-7 NSIC), while Minot State improved to 7-8 (2-6 NSIC) with a pair of victories over Bemidji State University and UMC this weekend.

The Golden Eagles were led by Kobe Critchley (Fr., G, Roseville, Minn./Health Science), who continues to become a go-to player for the Golden Eagles. Critchley tallied 13 points on 5-of-11 from the field. He is averaging 12.5 points per game over the last four contests for the Golden Eagles. Gable Smith (R-Fr., F, Lodi, Wis./Business Management) put together one of the best games of his young career with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Ben Grygiel (Jr., F, Rockford, Ill./Business Marketing) came off the bench for 12 points.

UMC was 20-of-51 for 39.2 percent from the field and just 3-of-18 for 16.7 percent from beyond the arc. In addition, they struggled from the foul line, going just 12-of-20 for 60 percent.

Minot State had four players score in double figures on the game led by 17 points and seven rebounds from Tyler Rudolph, who was 7-of-12 from the field. Chris Davis added 17 points and six rebounds and was 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. Winston Williams added 12 points and eight boards, while Michael Pelo came off the bench for 12 points and was 3-of-7 from behind the  three-point line.

The Beavers were lights out from beyond the arc, going 9-of-16 for 56.3 percent, while shooting 29-of-61 for 47.5 percent from the field.
Minot State also dominated the glass by a tune of 47-25 while the Beavers got 19 offensive rebounds and 25 second-chance points.

The Golden Eagles will return home to face St. Cloud State University and University of Minnesota Duluth Jan. 9 and Jan. 10 as they look to get back on a winning track.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

The University of Minnesota Crookston is a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.
-30-