CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team took on Saint Cloud State in the second game of their season series on Saturday. The Golden Eagles were unsuccessful in doing so dropping this game 78-59. The team looked solid through the first half, going into the locker room with a five point lead at the break. Shooting struggles and poor defense were the story in the second half for the Golden Eagles. After this loss UMN Crookston moves to 2-12 (1-11 NSIC) on the year and Saint Cloud State University moves to 7-7 (5-5 NSIC).

Key Players – Josh Dilling (Fr., G, Oshkosh, Wis.) had the hot hand for the Golden Eagles, leading the team in scoring with 18 points. After Dilling was Ibu Jassey-Demba (Sr., F, Birmingham, England) who was the only other Golden Eagle in double digit scoring with 15. Morgan Carter (Jr., F, Porthcawl, Wales) put up his season high tonight in scoring with eight. Leonard Dixon (Jr., F, Damascus, Ore.) led the way in rebounding for the Golden Eagles with seven. Jassey-Demba led the team in assists with four.

Caleb Donaldson led the game in scoring dropping 25 points. Anthony Roberts and Josh Tomasi both had 16 and Ryan Bagley finished the game with 11 for the Huskies.

Key Stats – St. Cloud State's offense showed up Saturday afternoon shooting over 50% from the field. The Huskies only shot two more times than the Golden Eagles but made eight more baskets. St. Cloud State looked to pound the ball inside, scoring 44 points in the paint to the Golden Eagles 28. The Huskies also shot better from beyond the arc going 8-for-19 while the Golden Eagles went 8-for-28. The Huskies looked to push the pace as well this game putting up 15 fastbreak points. The Golden Eagles could only manage three. The Golden Eagles held their own on the boards, but the Huskies won the edge 37-31.

Key Runs – It was a tale of two halves for the Golden Eagles on Saturday. The Golden Eagles jumped out to an early 9-4 lead. Throughout the first half, UMN Crookston was able to put up very efficient shooting numbers posting a 57.7% clip from the field and a 42.9% three point shot. The Golden Eagles were able to get the lead after the Huskies' first made field goal and held onto it throughout the half. It was a closely contested game throughout the first 20 minutes. At the end of the half the Golden Eagles hit three straight threes to put them up seven points. With five seconds left the Huskies got a steal and a layup to make it a five point game at the break. The second half saw the Huskies come out hot. The team went on a 19-7 run to start the half and did not look back from there. The Golden Eagles were unable to get stops or make shots throughout the second half shooting a measly 27.3% from the field. The Huskies took advantage of the post in the early going of the second half igniting their play for the rest of the stanza.

Up Next – The Golden Eagles men's basketball team will travel to Bemidji State University Fri., Feb. 19 and Sat., Feb. 20 to take on the Beavers in what will be the team's final series of the 2020-21 season.