Box Score San Juan, P.R.—The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team got their Thanksgiving weekend down in Puerto Rico off to a good start with a 68-53 victory over Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. This was the first of three down in sunny Puerto Rico for the Golden Eagles.
 
The win is the fifth straight victory for the surging Golden Eagles, who continue their best start since the 2010-11 season when the Golden Eagles started out 3-1.
 
Minnesota Crookston would take a while to get going, as the Golden Eagles would head into the halftime break trailing by 3, at 33-30.
 
Minnesota Crookston shot well from behind the arc in the first half, making six of their first 11 three point tries, good for 54.5%. The Golden Eagles struggled from the free throw line, shooting just 4/9 for 44.4% in that first half.
 
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico would shoot 9/21 from the field in the first half and 4/13 from the three point line. They would head into the halftime break up by three.
 
The Golden Eagles would prove yet again that they are a second half team and they proved that by outscoring their opponent 38-20 in the second stanza.
 
A big reason for the second half surge was junior guard Harrison Cleary (Jr., G, Oak Creek, Wis.) who finished the day with 25 points on 4/6 from the field and 4/5 from the three point line. Cleary filled up the stat sheet, compiling four rebounds, two assist and one steal. Chase Knickerbocker (Sr., G/F, Annandale, Minn.) added 15 points including burying four of his six three point attempts. Knickerbocker also grabbed seven rebounds.
 
The bench was solid in the game as well. Malcolm Cohen (R-Jr. G/F, Detroit, Mich.) added seven points off the bench, while Darin Viken (Sr., G, Fosston, Minn.) added eight points for the maroon and gold.
 
Minnesota Crookston had 16 assists on the day, while turning the ball over 14 times in the ballgame.
 
Pontifical Catholic was led by Miguel Barreto who scored 16 points on the afternoon. Harryson Munoz added nine points, while Angel Vazquez scored eight off the bench.
 
Head coach Dan Weisse, who is in his fifth year at the helm of the Golden Eagles said he liked the finish, but have to find a way to start games stronger.
 
"We certainly had to work to win today, but our guys played great in the second half and played good defense, but we have to figure out a way to start games better," Weisse said. "Once we stopped making excuses and being accountable, which we did in the second half, it will serve us well the rest of the way.
 
The Golden Eagles improve to 5-1 with the 15 point victory on Wednesday afternoon. Minnesota Crookston will look for their sixth straight win tomorrow morning, as they get set to do battle with the nationally ranked Lions of Missouri Southern State. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. central time in San Juan, P.R.