CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls men's basketball team took advantage of key opportunities in the second half to stave off the University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team 69-60. The Golden Eagles would pull within five points of the Cougars on Saturday night and had several opportunities to overcome their deficit but Sioux Falls would come up with the opportune plays in key moments to help the Cougars to the win.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 6-12 (2-10 NSIC) with the loss on Saturday. Sioux Falls won their sixth-consecutive game to improve to 12-8 (8-4 NSIC). Despite the loss, the Golden Eagles are still just three games out of the top four in the division and just two games out of fifth place in the NSIC North as they continue to improve on the court, despite the lack of results lately.

The Golden Eagles had a balanced effort on the evening as four players scored in double-figures. Connor Gamble (R-Fr., G, Stillwater, Minn.) continued his strong play as of late with 15 points of 5-of-11 from the field and 3-of-8 from beyond the arc. Gamble has averaged 12.5 points per game over the last four games to improve to 8.6 points per game on the season.

Minnesota Crookston also looked to 12 points and seven rebounds on Harrison Cleary (Fr., G, Oak Creek, Wis.) on 5-of-12 from the field. Kobe Critchley (So., G, Roseville, Minn.) added 11 points on 4-of-10 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. Gable Smith (R-So., F, Lodi, Wis.) chipped in 10 points and came one assist from tying his career-best seven blocks as he finished with seven blocks. Smith leads the NSIC with 49 blocks this season.

The Golden Eagles shot 24-of-58 from the field for 41.4 percent. They were 6-of-21 for 28.6 percent from the field. UMC was 6-of-8 from the field for 75 percent.

UMC was out-rebounded on the night 37-28.

Sioux Falls was without one of their leading scorers Mack Johnson on the night. In his absence, they looked to four players who tallied double-figure scoring. 

Daniel Hurtt led the Cougars off of the bench with 16 points on 7-of-13 from the field. Clint Thomas brought his spot-on shooting, especially early on, as he finished with 15 points on 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Drew Guebert added 114 points and six rebounds. Zach Wessels did a little bit of everything as he finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.

The Cougars were 27-of-55 from the field for 49.1 percent. They were 7-of-20 for 35.0 percent. USF was 8-of-13 for 61.5 percent from the charity stripe.

USF would take the early 6-5 advantage with a Thomas three-pointer. 

Knickerbocker responded with a three of his own to put the Golden Eagles up 8-6. UMC would be able to extend the lead on a basket from Jim Warmack (Jr., F/C, East Grand Forks, Minn.).

Sioux Falls would be able to pull ahead 14-12 on a Guebert trey with 12:26 remaining in the first half. UMC responded with a 5-0 run led by a trey from Gamble to push the Golden Eagles back into the lead 17-14.

The Cougars would knot the game up 19-19 with a Wessels free throw with 10:41 left. Sioux Falls would be able to extend their lead to 30-23 on a Thomas three-pointer as they went on an 11-4 run. They would be able to push their advantage out to 10 points (37-27) with 3:23 remaining in the half on a Tom Aase basket.

UMC would be able to get within seven points (42-35) on a Smith jumper going into the break.

The Golden Eagles would start out the half on a good note as they pulled within five points on a Cleary jumper. However, that is as close as UMC would get the rest of the game.

The Cougars would use a 4-0 run to make it 46-37 with 15:13 left in the game. UMC would cut the lead to seven on a Gamble basket. However, USF came right back to push the lead 50-41 on a Kebu Johnson basket.

The Golden Eagles would be able to cut the Cougar lead to 50-44 as Gamble nailed a trey with 9:49 left in the game. UMC would stay within six points until Sioux Falls would counter with a 7-0 run to make it 59-46 with 7:26 remaining in the game. The run would be culminated by a Hurtt three-pointer for the Cougars.

UMC would be able to cut into the lead and get it back down to nine pointer with a Critchley layup with 5:15 left in the contest. However, any opportunity UMC had, USF would come right back and answer it. The Cougars would be able to move their advantage back out to 13 on a Wessels bucket with just under two minutes left in the game.

UMC would get the lead back down to nine (67-58) as Critchley hit 1-of-2 from the charity stripe with 1:07 left. However, free throws and missed chances on the offensive end would prevent the Golden Eagles from making a bigger dent into the USF lead as the Cougars would hang on for the 69-60 lead.

Minnesota Crookston will hit the road Fri., Jan. 20 to take on University of Mary at 8 p.m.