DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team tied up the game with just over three minutes remaining, but the University of Minnesota Duluth would hang on for a 75-68 victory Saturday, December 4 at Romano Gymnasium in Duluth, Minn. The Golden Eagles trailed by nine at the half, but Ethan Channel (R-Jr., G, Beaverton, Ore.) scored 21 points to help UMN Crookston back and threaten Minnesota Duluth late. The Bulldogs scored 13 of the final 19 points to claim the victory.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 4-5 (1-2 NSIC) with Saturday's loss. Minnesota Duluth moved to an unblemished 9-0 (3-0 NSIC) with the victory. The Bulldogs are receiving votes in the most recent NABC Coaches poll.

The Golden Eagles were guided by Channel's 21 points on 7-of-11 from the field, and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Leonard Dixon (R-Jr., F, Damascus, Ore.) added a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds on 5-of-13 from the field. Brian Sitzmann (R-Sr., G, Savage, Minn.) added 14 points. Uzo Dibiamaka (R-So., G, Adelaide, South Australia) chipped in 13 points and six rebounds. Zen Goodridge (R-Jr., F/C, Orlando, Fla.) had nine rebounds.

Minnesota Crookston was 25-of-62 from the field for 40.3 percent. The Golden Eagles were 12-of-30 for 40.0 percent from beyond the arc on the game. UMN Crookston hit seven 3-pointers in the second half. The Golden Eagles were 6-of-10 for 60.0 percent from the foul line.

Minnesota Duluth was guided by a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds from Austin Andrews. Jack Middleton added 22 points and five rebounds. Drew Blair added 12 points.

The Bulldogs were 26-of-65 from the field for 40.0 percent. UMD shot 7-of-21 from beyond the arc for 33.3 percent. Minnesota Duluth was 16-of-21 from the foul line for 76.2 percent. The Bulldogs scored 36 of their points in the paint on the afternoon.

Minnesota Crookston edged the Bulldogs in rebounding 42-40, including 14 offensive boards. The Golden Eagles had 16 turnovers, while UMD had 10. Minnesota Crookston edged Minnesota Duluth in the second half scoring 40-38.
A three-pointer from Channel gave Minnesota Crookston an early 6-2 advantage on the Bulldogs. Minnesota Crookston was able to extend their advantage to 14-5 after a Dibiamaka jumper with 12:50 remaining in the first half. The Bulldogs tipped the scales in their favor using a 14-2 run to take a 19-16 lead following an Andrews old-fashioned three-point play. The Golden Eagles answered, utilizing a Dibiamaka trey to make it 19-19. UMN Crookston would take the lead back 22-21 when Sitzmann drained a triple with 8:10 left in the stanza. Minnesota Duluth came right back with a 9-0 run using an Andrews basket to take a 30-22 advantage. UMD would go into the locker room with a 37-28 lead.

The Bulldogs widened their gap to 42-30 early in the second half following an Andrews lay-in. The Golden Eagles countered with a 6-0 run using back-to-back Channel treys to trim the lead to 42-36 with 17:21 remaining in the game. UMD was able to push back out to a 12-point lead (48-36) following a Jack Middleton jumper with 14:33 left in the tilt. UMN Crookston again responded as a 9-2 run culminating with a Dixon bucket pulled the Golden Eagles within 50-45 with 11:06 remaining. Minnesota Duluth again pushed their lead back out as a Jacob Shields three-pointer made it 55-48 with 9:57 left in the game. The Golden Eagles didn't give in as they were able to trim the deficit to three (58-55) with 6:04 left in the game following a Channel jumper. An Andrews lay-up pushed the Bulldogs lead back out to five, but Channel came right back with a trey to trim the deficit to two points. Channel continued his great play with a lay-up at the 4:19 mark to knot the game up 60-60. The Golden Eagles traded punches until back-to-back Blair three-pointers gave the Bulldogs a 72-65 advantage with 48 seconds remaining. Minnesota Duluth would hang on for the 75-68 win.

The Golden Eagles return home to host Northern State University Friday, December 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.