CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team closed to within seven points in the second half, but a big first half ultimately led Michigan Tech University to an 83-72 win Saturday, November 20. The Huskies led 54-31 at the half and got the lead up to 25 with 16:05 left in the second half. However, UMN Crookston did not make it easy as they went on as they went on a 18-0 run to close within 65-58 with 10:01 remaining. The Huskies would fend off the late charge to pick up the win.

The Golden Eagles fall to 1-3 with the loss Saturday. Michigan Tech improved to 2-1 with the victory.

UMN Crookston was propelled by Ethan Channel (R-Jr., G, Beaverton, Ore.) with 21 points on 8-of-14 from the field. Uzo Dibiamaka (R-So., G, Adelaide, South Australia) chipped in 10 points, along with six assists and just one turnover for the afternoon.

The Golden Eagles were ignited by the play of their bench. Dylan Hushaw (R-So., G, Las Vegas, Nev.) had 13 points on 3-of-4 from the field for his career-high. Sam Tiley (R-Jr., G/F, Fort Collins, Colo.) notched his career-high with 10 points on 4-of-6 from the field, while Jerome Mabry (R-So., G/F, Milwaukee, Wis.) chipped in six points.

The Golden Eagles shot 25-of-53 from the field for 47.2 percent. UMN Crookston was 14-of-26 for 53.9 percent in the second half. The Golden Eagles shot a 33.3 percent clip from beyond the arc, and hit 69.6 percent of their attempts from the foul line.

Minnesota Crookston was out-rebounded 35-28 by Michigan Tech. The Golden Eagles had nine assists and 12 turnovers.

Michigan Tech was guided by Owen White, a NABC All-American, who had 24 points on 10-of-18 from the field. White fouled out of the game late in the fourth quarter. Eric Carl added 20 points, including going 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Trent Bell chipped in nine points and seven rebounds, while Brad Simonsen came off the bench for 10 points.

The Huskies shot 32-of-61 from the field for 52.5 percent. They hit at a 67.6 percent clip in the first half. The Huskies hit 12 three-pointers on Saturday.

The Huskies opened the game on a 10-0 run culminated by a White lay-in. They would extend their lead out to 20 with 12:32 left in the first quarter after Simonsen drained a trey. Minnesota Crookston got the deficit down to 16 after a Zach Westphal (Sr., G, West Fargo, N.D.) lay-up. However, Michigan Tech countered with a rally to extend their lead to 24 at 38-14 following a White jumper. The Huskies would go into the locker room with a 54-31 advantage.

Michigan Tech continued to find their shots early in the second half as a Carl three-pointer put the Huskies ahead 63-39 with 17:09 left in the game. A White bucket pushed the lead to 25 with 16:05 remaining. That is when the Golden Eagles countered. UMN Crookston had a 17-0 run propelled by five points from Tiley and Channel to cut the deficit to 67-60 with 8:37 remaining in the game. Michigan Tech would extend their lead back out to 12 with 7:33 left in the tilt. The Golden Eagles did not give in as  a Hushaw hoop trimmed the lead back down seven with 5:58 left in the game. Michigan Tech continued to fend off the charge to pick up the victory.

The Golden Eagles out-scored Michigan Tech 41-29 in the second half.

Minnesota Crookston opens NSIC play Tuesday, November 23 at 6 p.m. against Bemidji State University. The game will mark the dedication of Gary Senske Court. A pre-game social will be in Evergreen Grill on the Golden Eagle campus at 5 p.m., with the dedication taking place at the half.