CROOKSTON, Minn. - Minnesota State University Moorhead used a big first half to take down the University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team 78-62 Sat., Jan. 9 at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.

The Golden Eagles fall to 1-3 (0-2 NSIC) on the season, while the Dragons improve to 2-2 (2-0 NSIC) with Saturday's win.

Key Plays
MSU Moorhead started out strong in the first few moments with a big three-pointer from Gatdoar Kueth who had 20 points total. Bryce Irsfeld had 14 points for the Dragons. UMN Crookston was able to get on the board taking the lead down to 7-3 with help from Ethan Channel (Jr., G, Beaverton, Ore.) who makes his presence known this game with 17 points. Georges Darwiche (Jr., G, Bucharest, Romania) aided the effort as well contributing with his six points total. Leonard Dixon came in hot for the Golden Eagles with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Zach Westphal (R-So., G, West Fargo, N.D.) made a shot in the last second of the first half trimming the score to 43-28 going into the break.

To start the second half Channel and Ibu Jassey Demba (Sr., F, Birmingham, England) both scored points back to back. Lorenzo Mcghee came in and contributed with 11 points for the Dragons. Brian Sitzmann (R-Jr., G, Savage, Minn.) collected five points throughout the game before fouling out of the game. With some great energy going, UMN Crookston tightened the score to 52-41. Quintin Winterfeldt (So., G/F, Waupun, Wis.) helped make the score 56-45 with his two of his seven points on the game. Dane Zimmer came alive for MSU Moorhead in the second half, tallying 11 points total. Darwiche drew a foul and made both making the score 62-52. Irsfeld and Zimmer both helped keep with the lead in favor of the Dragons. Dixon answers made a three and Dilling converted a shot to trim the lead to 67-58. Channel made the final bucket for the Golden Eagles but it wouldn't be enough as they fell 78-62.

Key Stats
The Golden Eagles were led by Channel with 17 points in the game. Dixon was another star player this game with 13 rebounds and 13 points for the Golden Eagles. Dilling helped out offensively and defensively with six points and four rebounds. Winterfeldt also helped out scoring seven points for UMN Crookston.

For the Dragons, Kueth was the team's leader in points with 20. Bryce Irsfeld also helped out with scoring 14. McGhee finished 11 points and 10 rebounds to help the Dragons get the win. Zimmer also helped out having 11 points and five rebounds.

Key Runs
MSU Moorhead controlled the early going for Saturday's game, pushing out to a 35-15 lead with 7:06 remaining in the first half. The Golden Eagles ended the first half on a strong note as they got the lead down to 15 at 43-28 following Westphal's bucket at the buzzer signaling half time.

The Golden Eagles got the lead down to nine at 53-44 following Jassey-Demba's jumper. However, Minnesota Crookston was unable to close the gap as MSU Moorhead was able to push out to a 19-point lead and capture the win 78-62.

Up Next
UMN Crookston will hit the road next weekend to take on Northern State University Fri., Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. in Aberdeen, S.D.