Minot, N.D. – Minnesota Crookston was looking to halt a four-game losing streak with a trip to the Magic City to take on the Beavers of Minot State University.
The Beavers were able to take a lead midway through the second half and not look back, as they were able to make big shots and free throws down the stretch to knock off the Golden Eagles, 88-83.
The Golden Eagles fall to 4-8 (1-5 NSIC), while the Beavers improve to 9-3 (3-3 NSIC).
The Beavers would go on an 8-3 run through the first three minutes, where the Golden Eagles would score their only bucket on a make from deep from
Uzo Dibiamaka (R-So., G, Adelaide, South Australia).
The timeout would pay off for the Golden Eagles, as
Dylan Hushaw (R-So., G, Las Vegas, Nev.), who started his first career game for the Golden Eagles, would bury a make from the top of the key to cut the lead to 8-6.
The Beavers would stretch their lead to 22-14, but that is when it would become the
Marcus Thompson (R-Jr., F, Brooklyn, NY) show. Thompson would score a whopping 10 straight points to cut the lead to 26-24 in favor of the Beavers.
Leonard Dixon (R-Jr., F, Demascus, Ore.) would bury a three from the left wing to give the Golden Eagles their first lead since it was 3-2, at 27-26.
The two teams would be tied at 29, but Hushaw would be fouled on a corner three and make all three from the line. The Golden Eagles would have their largest lead of the half at five after a pair of Dixon free throws.
The Golden Eagles would head into the halftime break with a five point lead after
Ethan Channel (R-Jr., G, Beaverton, Ore.) was able to collect on offensive rebound and put it in at the buzzer to head into the break with a 51-46 lead.
Thompson and Channel would lead the Golden Eagles with 12 and 10 points respectively in that first half.
Minnesota Crookston shot 50 percent from the field in the first half and 6-15 from deep in the first 20 minutes as well.
The Golden Eagles would come out and make their first three shots of the half and eventually extended their lead up to seven at 57-50.
The Beavers would go on a 7-0 run to tie things up, but that would be halted by a Channel three right in front of his bench to give the Golden Eagles back their lead at 63-60. It was the third three of the game for the redshirt junior.
The game would continue to be back-and-forth, but Jackson Gunville would bury a three on a step back to give the Beavers a 70-67 lead midway through second half.
The Beavers would lead 80-79 and the Golden Eagles would have ample chances to take the lead, but couldn't cash in as the Beavers were able to finish off the Golden Eagles, 88-83.
The Golden Eagles had a season-high five players in double-figures, led by Dibiamaka's 19 points. Channel and Thompson finished with 18 and 15, respectively, while Dixon had 11 and Hushaw finished with 10 in his first career start.
Nathaniel Powell (R-So., F, Nottingham, England) finished with eight points and seven rebounds.
The Golden Eagles finished the night shooting 49.2 percent from the field.
Minnesota Crookston will look to split their North Dakota trip tomorrow afternoon as they head to Bismarck to take on the Marauders. Tip-off is set for 3:30 P.M., from the MAC.
