St. Joseph, Mo. – Blaize Sagna (So., G, London, England) would bury a three with one second left to send the season opener with Missouri Western State to overtime, but the Griffons would outscore the Golden Eagles by five in overtime for the 81-76 victory.
 
Minnesota Crookston falls to 0-1 on the seasons, while MWSU improves to 1-0.
 
The Golden Eagles would jump out to an early 8-5 lead, highlighted by a pair of three-point makes from Sagna and Matthew Allman (R-Jr., G/F, London, England).
 
A Chandler Meeks (Fr., G, Omaha, Neb.) jumper would tie the game at 20 midway through the first half, but the Griffons would go on a 14-4 run, before Ron Kirk, Jr., (So., G, Milwaukee, Wis.) would connect on a jumper.
 
Pedro Rossi (So., F, Bahia Blanca, Argentina) would connect on a three to cut the MWSU lead to 11 heading into the halftime break.
 
A Dezmond Washington (Jr., G/F, Morrilton, Ark.) jumper in the paint and a Xzavier Jones (Jr., G/F, Milwaukee, Wis.) three would cut the lead to 47-41, early on in the second half.
 
With 6:32 left in the game, MWSU would lead 66-50, but the Golden Eagles would start a furious rally.
 
Five straight points from Sagna would cut the lead to just six with less than three and a half minutes to go. Minnesota Crookston would play outstanding defense in the final six minutes.
 
Another Sagna layup would cut the lead to just one at 68-67. Taye Fields would bury a pair of free throws to extend the lead back up to three.
 
Jones would miss a three on the ensuing possession, but the Golden Eagles would force a turnover with nine second left.
 
Sagna would bury a three from the left wing to knot things up. On the inbounds pass following the basket, the Griffons would throw the ball away, giving the Golden Eagles the ball underneath their own basket with just over a second remaining. Jones would get a great look to give the Golden Eagles the win, but the ball would rattle out and we would head to overtime. The Golden Eagles would go on a 20-4 run in the final six and a half minutes to send the game to overtime.
 
The Griffons would outscore the maroon and gold, 11-6 for the 81-76 win.
 
Sagna led the way with 21 points on 8-11 shooting from the field and seven rebounds. Jones finished with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Washington was the third starter in double-figures, scoring 13 points and pulling down six rebounds. Meeks had a nice debut, scoring 11 points on 5-7 shooting from the field.
 
The Golden Eagles shot 45 percent from the field and held the Griffons to just 40 percent shooting from the field.
 
What's Next
The Golden Eagles will look to knock-off the defending National Champions, Northwest Missouri State tomorrow afternoon from St. Joseph. Tip-off is set for 4 P.M.