CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team lost a defensive struggle to Winona State University 53-41 Sat., Jan. 30 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The game was the second smallest point total UMC has given up all season as the Golden Eagle defense played well and kept UMC in the game. However, the Golden Eagles would shoot just 24.1 percent from the field and 10.5 percent from beyond the arc as they fell to Warriors.

The Golden Eagles drop to 3-17 (1-15 NSIC) with Saturday's loss. Winona State improved to 10-10 (9-7 NSIC) with the victory.

"First of all I give Winona State credit, they are a very good defensive team," said Head Coach Dan Weisse. "You have to make the open shots. We didn't have a whole lot of open shots but we had enough to score more points than we did and shoot a lot better than we did. That was disappointing, but give Winona State a lot of credit and we have a lot of work to do this week to get ready to Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State."

Minnesota Crookston was led by C.J. Polk (So., G, Milwaukee, Wis./Business Management), who had 14 points on 6-of-15 from the field, 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. However, the rest of the team was only 8-of-43 from the field. Jim Warmack (So., F/C, East Grand Forks, Minn./Business Marketing) came off the bench for five points and 10 boards, including six offensive boards.

The Golden Eagles were 14-of-58 from the field for 24.1 percent and 2-of-19 for 10.5 percent. They also would hang in there due to their free throw shooting. UMC would go 11-of-15 for 73.3 percent.

Winona State had three players finish in double-digit scoring. They were led by 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists from Mark Blacklock. Corey Jeffs and Isaiah Gray each added 10. Riley Bambenek was held to just two points but had five assists.

UMC out-rebounded their foe for the second-consecutive night, 39-36, led by Warmack's 10. Gable Smith (R-Fr., F, Lodi Wis./Business Marketing) added five rebounds. He also had five blocks on the game.

Winona State was 18-of-45 for 40 percent from the field, 5-of-14 for 35.7 percent from beyond the arc and 12-of-14 for 85.7 percent from the charity stripe.

The First half would be an offensive struggle for both teams as Winona State would go into the break up 22-10. UMC would shoot just 10.7 percent in the first half.

The Golden Eagles would get things together more so in the second half, as each team would score 31. UMC was 11-of-30 for 36.7 percent in the second half.
UMC will take on University of Sioux Falls Fri., Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D. Sat., Feb. 6, they will take on Southwest Minnesota State University at 7 p.m. in Marshall, Minn.