CROOKSTON, Minn. – Northern State University shot 56.0 percent from the field in the second half to spearhead a 76-65 win over the University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team. The Golden Eagles were able to get as close as six in the second half, but hot shooting for the Wolves led them to the win. The game was played Friday, December 10 at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn.

Minnesota Crookston fell to 4-6 (1-3 NSIC) with the loss. Northern State improved to 8-4 (2-2 NSIC) with Friday's win.

The Golden Eagles were guided by 18 points and seven rebounds from Leonard Dixon (R-Jr., F, Damascus, Ore.). Ethan Channel (R-Jr., G, Beaverton, Ore.) added 18 points. Brian Sitzmann (R-Sr., G, Savage, Minn.) chipped in 16 points. Uzo Dibiamaka (R-So., G, Adelaide, South Australia) had seven boards, while Marcus Thompson (R-Jr., F, Brooklyn, N.Y.) had six points.

Minnesota Crookston shot 23-of-55 from the field for 41.8 percent. The Golden Eagles were 8-of-21 from beyond the arc for 38.1 percent. Minnesota Crookston was 11-of-15 for 73.3 percent from the foul line. The Golden Eagles had 13 assists to 14 turnovers.

Northern State won the rebounding edge 39-29, including 12 offensive rebounds.

The Wolves had a strong shooting day, going 27-of-57 for 47.4 percent. Northern State went 11-of-31 from beyond the arc for 35.5 percent. The Wolves shot 11-of-16 from the foul line for 68.8 percent. Northern State had 17 assists to 15 turnovers.

Northern State was led by 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists by Sam Masten. Jordan Belka added 13 points. Cole Bergan chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds. Jacksen Moni finished with 13 points and six boards.

Minnesota Crookston got out to an 8-4 lead following a basket from Channel. Northern State responded with a 7-0 run to go up 11-8 after a pair of free throws from Kailleb Walton-Blanden with 14:20 left in the stanza. The Golden Eagles responded and were able to tie the game up 16-16 on a Zach Westphal (Sr., G, West Fargo, N.D.) jumper. The Wolves were able to go back on top 23-17 after a basket from Masten with 6:53 remaining in the half. The Golden Eagles came right back as Dixon found Thompson for a pair to trim the deficit to 25-24 with 4:37 left in the half.  UMN Crookston would remain within one (30-29) after a Dixon trey with 48 seconds left in the stanza. Masten drained a three-pointer with 29 seconds left in the half to go into the locker room with a 33-29 advantage.

Northern State opened the second half on an 8-2 run as an Augustin Reede three-pointer put the Wolves ahead 41-31. Northern State would push their lead out to 15 points on a trey from Walton-Blanden with 13:34 left in the game. Minnesota Crookston countered with a 6-0 run using back-to-back three-pointers from Channel and Dixon to get the deficit back down to nine points. Minnesota Crookston was able to cut the lead back down to six points (61-55) after a pair of Westphal free throws. Northern State was able to extend their advantage back out to 14 and UMN Crookston was unable to make a sizable dent into their lead as they fell 76-65.

The Golden Eagles were able to have a strong game from the field, but early second half momentum would be what propelled the Wolves to the win. UMN Crookston will take on Minnesota State University Moorhead Saturday, December 11 at 3:30 p.m. at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.