ABERDEEN, S.D.  – Northern State University out-scored the University of Minnesota Crookston 46-27 in the second half as the Wolves picked up the 79-50 win. The Golden Eagles were down just 10 at the half, but an early run for Northern State would propel the Wolves as they came away with the win.

"I was disappointed in our effort tonight," said Head Coach Dan Weisse. "Give Northern State credit but I don't think we had the fight that they had. We let their posts get touches wherever they wanted on the floor. We have to guard these guys at all times. Our offense wasn't very good tonight and our defense definitely wasn't very good but when you are scoring only 50 points it is going to be hard to win. We need to come out and fight tomorrow night. We need to play with a purpose, not just play to play."

The Golden Eagles fall to 3-22 (1-20 NSIC) with Friday's loss. Northern State improves to 16-11 (12-9 NSIC) with the victory.

UMC was led by eight points apiece from Derrick Redd, Jr. (Sr., G, Menifee, Calif./Sports and Rec Management) and Riley Rice (Jr., F, Mullen, Neb./Sports and Rec Management). Gable Smith (R-Fr., F, Lodi, Wis./Management) added seven points. Redd needs just seven points now to move past Jon Smith for No. 3 all-time in scoring.

The Golden Eagles were 21-of-55 for 38.2 percent from the field. They were just 4-of-14 for 28.6 percent from beyond the arc and just 4-of-9 for 44.4 percent from the charity stripe.

Northern State looked to 16 points from Darin Peterka on 5-of-7 from the field, while Carter Evans added 13 points and Mack Arvidson came off the bench for 13.

The Wolves had a strong shooting night, going 30-of-56 for 53.6 percent from the field and 10-of-25 for 40 percent from beyond the arc.

The Wolves would lead 21-14 with 4:30 remaining in the first half, but the Golden Eagles would cut into the deficit on a Knickerbocker three to make it 21-17 with 3:30 left in the frame. Northern State would extend their lead to 23-17 as Bo Fries found Michael Schreiber for the lay-up to make it 23-17. The Wolves would make it 26-17 as Skye Warwick nailed a three from the wing with two minutes left in the first half. Another three from Arvidson would extend the advantage to 29-17 as he continued the 8-0 run.

C.J. Polk (So., G, Milwaukee, Minn./Business Management) would cut into the deficit to get UMC within 10 at 29-19 with a minute left in the half. However, an Evans bucket would put Northern State back up 31-19. The Golden Eagles answered with a Redd basket to cut the lead to 31-21. A pair of free throws from Peterka would give the Wolves a 33-21  advantage. UMC ended the half with a Gable Smith tip-in to cut the Wolves' lead to 33-23.

The Golden Eagles were led at the half by Redd and Polk, who each tallied four. The Golden Eagles had eight players score in the first half. UMC was 9-of-28 for 32.1 percent from the field in the first half. The Golden Eagles went 1-of-8 for 12.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Northern State was led by Peterka's nine points, while Fries added six. The Wolves were 13-of-28 for 46.4 percent from the field and 4-of-10 for 40 percent from beyond the arc.

The Wolves opened up the second half on an 8-0 run led by a Warwick three and an alley-oop from Peterka to put Northern State up 41-23 early on.

The Golden Eagles would stop the 8-0 run as Redd hit a jumper in the lane to cut the lead to 41-25. However, Warwick answered with a three of his own to make it 44-25.

The Wolves would extend their lead to 55-31 as they continued their 22-8 run to open the second half.

The Golden Eagles would cut the deficit with a Smith old-fashioned three-point play to cut the lead to 55-34 with 11:45 remaining, however Ian Smith responded with a three of his own to make it 58-34.

The Golden Eagles would get a spark in the second half off the bench from Riley Rice (Jr., F, Mullen, Neb.), who hit a pair of threes to cut the deficit to 62-40 with nine minutes remaining. However, Peterka answered with a three of his own to make it 65-40. Northern State would continue their control of the game and pick up the 79-50 win.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up the regular-season Sat., Feb. 20 against No. 10 Minnesota State University Moorhead at Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead, Minn.

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

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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.
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