Fargo, N.D. – Minnesota Crookston men's basketball kicked off the 2022-23 season and the Bryan Beamish era with an exhibition game at North Dakota State.
 
Minnesota Crookston trailed by eight at the half, but the Bison proved why they are a traditional power in the Summit League, outscoring the Golden Eagles 60-34 in the second half for the 98-64 victory in both teams lone exhibition play.
 
The Golden Eagles would score the first five points of the game on a Dezmond Washington (Jr., G/F, Morrilton, Ark.) fast break layup and a three ball from Xzavier Jones (Jr., G/F, Milwaukee, Wis.).
 
Blaize Sagna (So., G, London, England) would score two of his 12 points on a nice drive to the rim for a 7-5 lead early on.
 
The Bison would take an early 23-10 lead, but the Golden Eagles would use defense to chip away into the first half lead.
 
Minnesota Crookston would get as close as five on an old-fashioned three-point play from Jones, who converted the one free throw to cut the deficit to 31-26.
 
NDSU would lead 38-30 after the first 20.
 
The first few minutes of the second half would see both teams trading buckets. Minnesota Crookston would cut the lead to eight at 46-38 after a top of the key three by Matthew Allman (R-Jr., G/F, London, England).
 
A layup by Sagna would make it 57-47 with 11 minutes in the game, but the Bison would go on a 27-5 run over the next seven minutes to pull away for the 34 point victory.
 
Jones led the way with 17 points and six rebounds, while Sagna was the other Golden Eagle in double figures, finishing with 12 points and two assists. Washington finished with nine points, while freshman Peter Fuchs, Jr. (Fr., G, Wausau, Wis.) finished with seven points in just six minutes.
 
The Golden Eagles shot 35 percent from the field and tied the Bison with 38 paint points.
 
The Golden Eagles will open up the 2022 regular season next Friday as they travel to Missouri Western State. Tip-off is set for 7:30 P.M., from St. Joseph, Mo.