Crookston, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston led the Minnesota State Mavericks by nine at half, but proceeded to shoot just 22 percent in the second half, falling to Minnesota State by five on Friday night, 71-66.
 
The Golden Eagles fall to 1-16 (0-11 NSIC) on the season.
 
Chandler Meeks (Fr., G, Omaha, Neb.) would get the Golden Eagles off to a quick start with a left wing three on the first possession of the game.
 
Xzavier Jones (Jr., G, Milwaukee, Wis.) would score back-to-back buckets, giving the Golden Eagles an 8-4 lead early on in the first half.
 
MSU would eventually take the largest lead of the game up to that point at five, but a pair of Blaize Sagna (So., G, London, England) three's gave the Golden Eagles a one point lead at 28-27.
 
The Golden Eagles would end the half on an 11-3 run, capped off by a Pedro Rossi (So., C, Bahia Blanca, Argentina) layup.
 
Minnesota State would start the second half on an 11-0 run, taking a brief lead on a corner three from Kyrese Willingham.
 
From that point, both teams would go back-and-forth. Willingham would give the Mavericks the lead for good and would make some big plays down the stretch.
 
Late in the game, the Golden Eagles would get within four, but couldn't get closer than that, falling by five.
 
Sagna continued to play well, finishing with 26 points on 8-21 shooting from the field, while Meeks added 12. Jones poured in 10 points on 3-10 from the field. Ron Kirk, Jr., (So., G, Milwaukee, Wis.) had a good game off the bench, adding eight points.
 
Minnesota Crookston was 20-60 from the field and 6-26 from deep.
 
The Golden Eagles will look for the split tomorrow against the Golden Bears of Concordia-St. Paul. Tip-off with CSP is scheduled for 5:30 P.M.