SIOUX FALLS, S.D.– The University of Sioux Falls used a big second half to defeat the University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team 73-47 Saturday, January 22 at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Cougars outscored the Golden Eagles 37-21 in the second half. The Golden Eagles had closed to within four points (41-37) with 13:26 remaining, however USF closed the game outscoring UMN Crookston 32-10.

Minnesota Crookston dropped to 6-13 (3-10 NSIC) with Saturday's loss. USF improved to 10-7 (6-5 NSIC) with the victory. The Golden Eagles split on the weekend after Friday's win over Southwest Minnesota State University. UMN Crookston has gone 2-1 in their last three games.

Minnesota Crookston was led by 13 points on 5-of-9 from the field from Leonard Dixon (R-Jr., F, Damascus, Ore.). Zach Westphal (Sr., G, West Fargo, N.D.) added 10 points and four rebounds, while Uzo Dibiamaka (R-So., G, Adelaide, South Australia) had eight points.

The Golden Eagles went 18-of-51 from the field for 35.3 percent. They shot 5-of-20 from beyond the arc for 25.0 percent, and were just 6-of-11 from the foul line for 54.5 percent. Minnesota Crookston committed 17 turnovers Saturday.

Sioux Falls was propelled by 22 points from Matt Cartwright on 8-of-17 from the field. Jack Thompson chipped in 14 points and six rebounds, while Chase Grinde had 13 points and six rebounds.

USF was 28-of-64 from the field for 43.8 percent. The Cougars went 8-of-25 from beyond the arc for 32.0 percent. They held their own from the line, going 9-of-11 for 81.8 percent. Sioux Falls outrebounded the Golden Eagles 39-33, including 11 offensive rebounds. The Cougars had 30 points in the paint and 22 points off turnovers.

Sioux Falls jumped out to a 10-5 advantage after a pair of free throws from Jake Kettner with 13:29 left in the first half. UMN Crookston responded with a 5-0 run, using a Westphal trey to knot the game up 10-10. Sioux Falls countered with an 8-2 run as a Thompson jumper gave USF an 18-12 lead. Minnesota Crookston closed the game within two points (23-21) following a Dixon trey with 4:47 left in the half. Sioux Falls responded with a 7-2 run to push their lead back out to seven (30-23) following a Kettner triple. USF went into the locker room with a 36-26 lead.

Minnesota Crookston made a slight charge early in the second half as a Brian Sitzmann (R-Sr., G, Savage, Minn.) three-pointer pulled the Golden Eagles within six (39-33) with 17:27 left in the game. Sioux Falls responded with a Thompson jumper, but UMN Crookston scored the next four points to pull within four (41-37) following a Dixon jumper. After that Minnesota Crookston went cold from the field. Sioux Falls used a 14-2 run to push out to a 55-39 advantage. Minnesota Crookston found the hoop on a Westphal bucket, but Sioux Falls came right back with an 11-2 run to extend their lead to 66-43 following a Noah Puetz three-pointer. USF was able to pick up the 73-47 after their big second half.

Minnesota Crookston returns home to host Wayne State College Friday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.