CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team excelled in a 83-37 win over Oak Hills Christian College Sat., Dec. 17 at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn. The Golden Eagles controlled the pace of the game from the onset especially during a 20-6 run in the last eight minutes of the first half. UMC would build on their lead by outscoring the Wolfpack 41-19 in the second half.

Minnesota Crookston goes into the holiday break with a 5-6 mark on the season. They wrap up their non-conference slate for the 2016-17 season with a 4-2 mark. Oak Hills Christian, a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association located in Bemidji, Minn., falls to 0-13 on the season.

Harrison Cleary (Fr, G, Oak Creek, Wis.) led the way for Minnesota Crookston with 17 points on 8-of-13 from the field. He added five boards. Connor Gamble (R-Fr., G, Stillwater, Minn.) got the start and tallied 13 points, including going 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. Darin Viken (So., G, Fosston, Minn.) had his best game at Minnesota Crookston with a near double-double of nine points and 10 rebounds. 

Gable Smith (R-So., F, Lodi, Wis.) tallied nine points and eight boards, while Nate Lorenz (So., F/C, Breckenridge, Minn.) had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Aaron Hollcraft (So., Crookston, Minn.) chipped in eight points, while Chase Johnson (Fr., F, La Crosse, Wis.) had five points and seven boards.

Minnesota Crookston was 31-of-71 from the field for 43.7 percent. They were 10-of-32 from beyond the arc for 31.3 percent. UMC did a great job of sharing the ball with 19 assists and just eight turnovers.

Oak Hills Christian looked to 11 points from Moe Blackmon, who added four rebounds. Blake Dragt chipped in 10 points and five boards. 

Ronnie Jackson would come off the bench for five points, five rebounds and four assists.

The Wolfpack was just 13-of-59 for 33.0 percent as UMC was able to shut down Oak Hills Christian on the defensive end. The Wolfpack shot just 4-of-323 for 17.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Minnesota Crookston controlled the glass by the tune of 57-29.

Oak Hills Christian would stay within 10 points early on as it would be just 22-12 with 9:01 left in the first half. UMC would take control from there as they would end the half on a 20-6 run to make it 42-18 at the half. UMC was led on the run by eight points from Cleary.

The Golden Eagles would get a lot of playing time for everyone who was eligible to play on the day as 12 players saw time on the floor. 11 of those players scored on the day.

Minnesota Crookston will return to action on Dec. 30 at Winona State at 8 p.m. The Golden Eagles are 1-4 in conference play this season.