MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State University Moorhead defeated the University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team 101-72 Saturday, December 10 at Nemzek Hall. Lorenzo McGhee guided the Dragons with 23 points.

Minnesota Crookston fell to 1-10 (0-5 NSIC) with Saturday's loss. MSU Moorhead improved to 9-2 (4-1 NSIC) with the victory.

In addition to McGhee, Jaiden Stanley-Williams added 13 points, as did Jacob Beeninga. Gavin Baumgartner added 12 points. Xzavier Jones (Jr., G/F, Milwaukee, Wis.) added 18 points and six rebounds. Rambo Badyal (Sr., G, Kelowna, British Columbia) finished with 17 points, for a career high. Dezmond Washington (Jr., G/F, Morrilton, Ark.) finished with 15 points. Matthew Allman (R-Jr., G/F, London, England) came off the bench for nine points, while De'Antray Hughes (R-Jr., F, New Orleans, La.) notched eight points.

UMN Crookston shot 27-of-55 for 49.1 percent. The Golden Eagles were 7-of-21 for 33.3 percent. Minnesota Crookston committed 16 turnovers. The Dragons outrebounded UMN Crookston 44-30. MSU Moorhead notched 15 offensive boards. The Dragons hit at a 50.0 percent clip (36-of-72). They were 12-of-29 from behind the three-point line for 41.4 percent. MSU Moorhead went 17-of-22 for 77.3 percent from the foul line.

The Dragons jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead following a Stanley-Williams triple with 17:39 left in the first half. UMN Crookston trimmed the deficit to 10-6 when Jones hit a jumper with 16:52 remaining in the stanza. MSU Moorhead countered with back-to-back three-pointers from McGhee and Jacob Beeninga, pushing their lead to 16-6. Washington found Hughes for the dunk with 14:18 left in the half to trim the deficit to 18-10.  McGhee connected on a pair of free throws to widen the gap to 22-12 with 11:30 remaining in the half. The Golden Eagles went on a 12-4 run to pull within 26-24 on a Rambo Badyal three-pointer. The Dragons countered with a 6-0 run to push the lead to 32-24 with 6:59 left in the half. UMN Crookston pulled back within six points (32-26) after free throws from Jones. MSU Moorhead responded with a 4-0 run to push the lead out to 36-26. A Washington three-pointer brought the Golden Eagles back within seven (36-29). The Dragons responded with a 5-0 run as a Baumgartner three gave MSU Moorhead a 41-29 lead with 3:49 left in the stanza. Minnesota Crookston pulled within 45-34 following a Matthew Allman trey. The Dragons went into the locker room with a 47-34 advantage over the Golden Eagles.

The Dragons pushed their advantage to 55-37 early in the second half after a Stanley-Williams jumper. MSU Moorhead led 64-42 after a Stanley-Williams bucket with 15:42 remaining. The Dragons were able to push it out to as much as 30 points (81-51) following a Gabe Myren dunk. Minnesota Crookston utilized a 5-0 run as a Badyal basket brought the Golden Eagles within 81-56.  The Dragons continued to control action in Saturday's game as they won 101-72.

Minnesota Crookston returns home to host Minot State University Friday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.