BROOKINGS, S.D. -  The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team would be able to hang with NCAA Division I opponent South Dakota State University for all but a five-minute period in the second half. The Golden Eagles would be down just 10 at the break and would hang with the Jackrabbits for the first 10 minutes of the second half but an 18-2 run over a five-minute stretch mid-way through the second half would lead the Jackrabbits to the win. South Dakota State would win by the tune of 90-58 at Frost Arena in Brookings, S.D.

The game was an exhibition contest for UMC so their record remains 3-2 on the season. It is the final exhibition for the Golden Eagles on the season. South Dakota State moves to 3-6 with Wednesday's win.

"This is probably the longest team that we will play all year," said Head Coach Dan Weisse. "They played zone the entire game and they do it pretty well. They cover spots up and take angles away. SDSU isgoing to be a pretty tough out in the Summit League. T.J. (Otzelberger) and the staff are doing a good job here. This was a good experience for our guys. We would have liked to keep the game closer to have a chance to win a game, but we just have to get defensive stops. Give them credit as they made some shots, but we have to do a better job on our end. We hope to learn from this game and go strong into conference play this weekend."

The Golden Eagles were led by 21 points off the bench from Connor Gamble (R-Fr., G, Stillwater, Minn.). Gamble was an unblemished 6-of-6 from beyond the arc in the first half. He would finish the game 7-of-10. 

"Connor Gamble shot the ball well, but we expect him to shoot the ball well," Weisse said. "Hopefully some other guys can knock down some more shots and we have confidence that they will."

Chase Knickerbocker (So., G/F, Annandale, Minn.) added 14 points and five boards, while Harrison Cleary (Fr., G, Oak Creek, Wis.) added 10 points. Kobe Critchley (So., G, Roseville, Minn.) would have five assists on the game.

Minnesota Crookston shot 20-of-59 for 33.9 percent from the field and 13-of-35 for 37.1. They were 5-of-6 for 83.3 percent from the free-throw line.

South Dakota State had a balanced effort with five players with double-digits on the evening. Ian Theisen led the way with 16 points on 6-of-7 off of the bench. Mike Daum added 14 points and seven boards. A.J. Hess had 10 points. The Jackrabbits did well to show their height and strength advantage in the post as evidenced by Daum, Hess and Theisen's performance.

Reed Tellinghuisen would finish with 13 points, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Tevin King had 13 points and five rebounds. Sergio El Darwich did a good job of facilitating everything for the Jackrabbits with seven points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

South Dakota State was 32-of-49 from the field for 65.3 percent. They shot 12-of-21 for 57.1 percent from beyond the arc and were 14-of-16 for 87.5 percent from the charity stripe. They dominated the boards by the tune of 37-20.

The Jackrabbits would start the game on a 5-0 run led by five points from Tellinghuisen. SDSU would extend their advantage to 11-3 following three-points from El Darwich and Hess. The Jackrabbits would extend their lead to 15-5, but UMC would be able to get back in the fray with a pair of three-points from Gamble to make it 21-16 with 9:30 left in the frame.

However, a Tellinghuisen trey would extend the Jackrabbit advantage to 25-16. Gamble would continue to feel hit from beyond the arc as he nailed a three from the wing to get UMC back within six at 25-19. Gamble would hit his fifth three of the first half to get the Golden Eagles within six (31-25) with 6:30 left in the half. King would respond with a three of his own for SDSU to extend the advantage to 34-25 and then El Darwich would find Hess to put SDSU up 36-25.

Gamble would hit his sixth three of the first half to get UMC within 40-32, but King would respond on the other end for the Jackrabbits to make it 43-32.

Knickerbocker would hit a trey with 30 seconds left in the frame to get UMC within 45-38. The Jackrabbits would then get a steal and Theisen would hit a buzzer beater three to make it 48-38 going into the break.

The Golden Eagles looked to Gamble in the first half. He was a perfect 6-of-6 from beyond the arc with 18 points. Knickerbocker added 10 points on 3-of-9 from the field, while Cleary added five points.

UMC was 13-of-29 from the field for 44.8 percent. They shot 10-of-21 for 47.6 percent from three-point range.

SDSU looked to 10 points from Tellinghuisen on 4-of-6 from the field. Daum added nine points and three boards, while King had eight points and five boards.

The Jackrabbits were 18-of-26 from the field for 69.2 percent in the first half and 7-of-12 for 58.3 percent from beyond the arc.

 The Golden Eagles would be able to cut into the Jackrabbit lead early in the second half as Cleary hit a three with 15:16 left in the game to get UMC within 50-43.

However, South Dakota State would go on a quick 6-0 run with three-pointers from Tellinghuisen and Hess to make it 56-43 with 14:29 left in the game. UMC would get as close as 11 points with 12:01 remaining after a pair of Knickerbocker free throws.

From there though it would be all SDSU as they would outscore UMC 18-2 over a five minute stretch to make it 76-49 with 6:26 left in the game.

The Golden Eagles enter NSIC play on Fri., Dec. 2 as they take on St. Cloud State University at 8 p.m. at Halenbeck Hall in St. Cloud, Minn.