BISMARCK, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team used career nights from Josh Dilling (Fr., G, Oshkosh, Wis.) and Leonard Dixon (Jr., F, Damascus, Ore.) to defeat the University of Mary 72-58 at McDowell Activity Center in Bismarck, N.D.

The Golden Eagles hit 11 three-pointers on the game, including five from Dixon. UMN Crookston snaps a six-game losing streak to improve to 2-7 (1-6 NSIC). UMary falls to 3-6 (3-4 NSIC) with Friday's loss.

Key Players
Minnesota Crookston looked to 27 points from Dilling on 10-of-16 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. It marked the career high from the freshman. Dixon also secured his career high with a double-double of 23 points and 12 boards. Dixon was 9-of-14 from the field and an impressive 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Ibu Jassey-Demba (Sr., F, Birmingham, England) added seven points and 13 rebounds, while Brian Sitzmann (R-Jr., G, Savage, Minn.) finished with seven. Georges Darwiche (Jr., G, Bucharest, Romania) was the floor general for the Golden Eagles with eight assists and no turnovers.

Matthew Kreklow led the way for the Marauders with 11 points. Trevor Kaiser added nine points, seven assists, and six rebounds. He was just 1-of-15 from the field. Lucas Mayer came off the bench for 11 points.

Key Statistics
Minnesota Crookston had 20 assists on 28 made field goals for the night. They finished with just nine turnovers. The Golden Eagles were 28-of-59 for the night for 47.5 percent. UMN Crookston went 11-of-25 for 44.0 percent from beyond the arc and 5-of-6 for 83.3 percent from the charity stripe. The Golden Eagles won the rebounding edge 40-30.

UMary finished 19-of-55 for the night for 34.5 percent. The Marauders were 6-of-22 for 27.3 percent from beyond the arc and 14-of-18 for 77.8 percent from the foul line.

Key Runs
Minnesota Crookston raced out to an early 15-3 lead paced by five points from Sitzmann and four from Dilling. UMary cut the deficit to 20-10 on a Mayer basket with 12:25 remaining in the first half. UMN Crookston responded by pushing the lead out to 28-12 on a Tyrese Shines (So., G, LaGrange, Ill.) free throw. Minnesota Crookston widened the gap even further as they took the 39-20 lead later in the half when Dixon sank a trey. The Golden Eagles went into the locker room with a 48-26 advantage.

UMary controlled the early part of the second stanza as they trimmed the lead down to 50-36 after a basket from Kreklow. UMary got as close as seven points at the 8:57 market as Kreklow scored two off an assist from Kaiser. Minnesota Crookston put the Marauders away with a 10-0 run as a basket from Dixon gave the Golden Eagles a 64-47 lead. Minnesota Crookston came away with the 72-58 victory on Friday.

Up Next
The Golden Eagles will look for the series sweep as they take on University of Mary Sat., Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. in Bismarck, N.D.