BOLIVAR, Mo. – Lincoln University of Missouri used a 16-5 run to open up the second half to boost them to a 76-65 win over the University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team. The Golden Eagles were down just 35-32 at the break but the early second half run would prove key for the Blue Tigers. 

Minnesota Crookston finishes the SBU Classic at John Q. Hammons Court in Bolivar, Mo., with a 1-1 mark after defeating Southwest Baptist University yesterday. The Golden Eagles move to 1-1 on the season, as well. Lincoln, who was picked fourth in the MIAA, moves to 2-0 on the season.

"Lincoln is one of the most athletic teams we will play this season," said Head Coach Dan Weisse. "We let the game get too helter skelter and had way too many turnovers. We needed to touch the post more, as well. We gave a good effort. We just have to executive more consistently on both ends of the floor."

The Golden Eagles had a great weekend from freshman Harrison Cleary (Fr., G, Oak Creek, Wis.), who made his collegiate debut. Cleary had 21 points on 6-of-12 from the field, 2-of-2 from beyond the arc and 7-of-7 from the charity stripe. He also had two assists, two steals and three rebounds. Cleary would average 27.5 points per game in his first two collegiate games.

Chase Knickerbocker (So., G/F, Annandale, Minn.) put up a strong game for Minnesota Crookston with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds. 

Connor Gamble (R-Fr., G, Stillwater, Minn.) came off the bench for nine points, while Chase Johnson (Fr., F, La Crosse, Wis.) had eight points and five boards.

The Golden Eagles shot 21-of-53 for 39.6 percent from the field and 7-of-21 for 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. Minnesota Crookston would have 16 turnovers on the day.

A very experienced Lincoln squad, that has seven seniors on their roster, looked to a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds from Jaylon Smith. Richie Lewis chipped in 12 points and six assists. Rod Ollison came off the bench for the Blue Tigers for 16 points on 8-of-9 from the field.

Lincoln went 27-of-57 from the field for 47.4 percent. They were 5-of-17 from beyond the arc for 29.4 percent. The Blue Tigers out-rebounded the Golden Eagles 35-33.

Lincoln would be able to get out to an early 18-10 lead after a Maurice Mason three-pointer with 8:38 left in the first half. The Golden Eagles would close the advantage to 18-15 after a pair of Cleary free throws. 

The Blue Tigers would respond with a 7-0 run to get their lead out to 25-15 after a dunk from Smith with 6:06 left in the half.

Minnesota Crookston would be able to close the gap going into the break as they cut the lead to 35-32 on a Johnson lay-up with 15 seconds left.

The Golden Eagles took the lead out of the break as they went up 36-35 after a Knickerbocker jumper and a Cleary bucket.

Lincoln would go on a run from there as they went on a 16-3 run to go up 51-39 on an Ollison dunk with 12:16 left in the game.

The Golden Eagles would follow with a 10-0 run of their own culminating in a Gamble three-point to cut the lead to 51-49 with 9:48 left in the game.

Yet again though Lincoln would respond with a run of their own, going on an 11-2 run ending with an Ollison lay-up to make it 60-51 with 7:22 left in the game.

Minnesota Crookston would get the lead back down to four (60-56) after Cleary connected on a pair of free throws with 6:11 left in the game.

However, the Blue Tigers would again respond with a 9-0 run ending with a Smith lay-up to make it 69-56 with 3:44 left in the contest.

Lincoln would hold on for a 76-65 victory over Minnesota Crookston.

The Golden Eagles will return to action Tues., Nov. 15 against University of Wisconsin-Stout at Lysaker Gymnasium. Minnesota Crookston will then take on Waldorf College Thurs., Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium.