Houghton, Mich. – Minnesota Crookston had four scorers in double-figures, led by a career-high 16 points from
Matthew Allman (R-Jr., G, London, England), but Michigan Tech made too many plays down the stretch for a 76-72 victory over the Golden Eagles.
Minnesota Crookston falls to 0-4 on the season, while Michigan Tech moves to 2-1 with their second straight win.
Xzavier Jones (Jr., G, Milwaukee, Wis.) would open up the scoring with the first two of his 14 points. Jones has now scored double-figures in all but one game this season.
The Huskies would start to insert their will early on in the half, taking a 16-7 lead, which would be halted by a
Marcus Thompson (R-Sr., F, Brooklyn, N.Y.) layup.
MTU would take a 10-point lead at 20-10, but the Golden Eagles would answer right back with a 10-0 run of their own, capped off by a Thompson layup.
Jones would give the Golden Eagles a one point lead with a three, just one possession later.
From that point, both teams would go back-and-forth, as the Huskies would take a one point lead, 31-30 heading into the halftime break.
For much of the second half, the Golden Eagles would stay within striking distance. Allman would bury a three to cut the Huskies lead to 49-46 with just over 11 minutes to go.
Blaize Sagna (So., G, London, England) would bury a jumper to cut the lead back to a familiar deficit, two, with 8:44 to go in the game.
MTU would answer with a 9-0 run of their own and eventually take a 69-57 lead with just 3:33 to go.
Much like they have all season, the Golden Eagles would continue to fight. Allman would bury two threes and Sagna would bury one of his own as part of a 9-2 run in the final two minutes.
Sagna would get fouled and bury both free throws with just 13 seconds left, but the Huskies would bury a pair of free throws of their own on the ensuing possession for the four point victory.
Minnesota Crookston was led by Allman's 16 points on 4-6 shooting from deep, a career-high in makes. Jones and Thompson finished with 14 and 13, respectively, while Sagna finished with 12. As a team, the Golden Eagles shot 42.4 percent from the field and outrebounded the Huskies, 41-38.
What's Next
The Golden Eagles are back in action for the NSIC Opener on Tuesday night, as they make the trek down Highway-2 for a date with Bemidji State. Tip-off is set for 5:30 P.M.
