CROOKSTON, Minn. – Chandler Meeks (Fr., G, Omaha, Neb.) scored a career-high 27 points to send University of Minnesota Crookston past Southwest Minnesota State University 71-63 Saturday, January 28 at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles held the Mustangs to just 25.0 percent from the field in the second half, as they exuded energy on both ends of the court Saturday evening.

Minnesota Crookston moved to 2-20 (1-15 NSIC) with Saturday's win. The Golden Eagles have back-to-back wins over the Mustangs after having lost 22 straight in the series. Southwest Minnesota State came into the weekend in a four-way tie for first place in the NSIC South. They are in fourth place after the weekend.

Meeks was 9-of-15 from the field. He went 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-9 from the line. In addition to a strong shooting performance, Meeks added six rebounds, and three assists. Three more Golden Eagles scored in double digits. Pedro Rossi (So., F, Bahia Blanca, Argentina) added 10 points and four boards. Blaize Sagna (So., G, London, England) finished with 10 points and three assists. Xzavier Jones (Jr., G/F, Milwaukee, Wis.) chipped in 10 points and six boards. Matthew Allman (R-Jr., G/F, London, England) finished with six points, while Rambo Badyal (Sr., G, Kelowna, British Columbia) added six.

Minnesota Crookston played a great team game, with 11 assists and just eight turnovers. They forced 12 Mustang turnovers on the night. The Golden Eagles shot 24-of-53 from the field for 45.3 percent. They were 8-of-26 for 30.8 percent from beyond the arc. Minnesota Crookston went 15-of-22 for 68.2 percent from the stripe.

Southwest Minnesota State looked to 18 points on 6-of-18 from the field from Dunwa Omot. Jake Phipps added 12 points. Cliff McCray finished with 11, while Majok Majouk had 10. Anthony Costello came off the bench for 12. The Mustangs shot just 7-of-28 in the second half for 25.0 percent. They finished the tilt 25-of-59 from the field for 42.4 percent.

Minnesota Crookston outscored the Mustangs 35-19 in the second half after trailing 44-36 at the break. The Golden Eagles had lost five games this season by five or less points. Saturday Minnesota Crookston was able to get over the hump with a strong effort for the full 40 minutes.

The Mustangs opened the game with a 12-4 advantage following an Omot trey with 16:10 remaining in the first stanza. The Golden Eagles closed to within six (15-9) when Jones nailed a jumper with 15:16 left in the first half. Southwest Minnesota State was able to extend their advantage to 26-15 on a Majouk triple with 10:24 remaining in the tilt. Minnesota Crookston trimmed the Mustang lead to seven (28-21) with an Allman trey with 8:21 left in the frame. Southwest Minnesota State responded with a 6-0 run as Noah Chamberlain found Phipps for a pair to put the Mustangs ahead 34-21 with 6:36 remaining in the half. Minnesota Crookston was able to pick away at the deficit and get it down to eight with a Meeks jumper off a Sagna assist to make it 44-36 at the half.

Out of the gate, Southwest Minnesota State was able to extend their lead to 51-38 with a 7-2 run guided by an Omot trey. The Golden Eagles got the Mustang advantage down to eight with 16:42 remaining on a Jones basket. However, they came right back with a 5-0 run as a Phipps jumper gave the Mustangs a 56-43 lead. Minnesota Crookston then took over as they responded with a 21-4 run to overturn the Mustangs and take the lead 64-60 on an Allman trey. The Mustangs pulled within two on a Phipps jumper with 4:12 left in the tilt. UMN Crookston closed it out down the stretch with strong defense and crucial shots to pick up the 71-63 win.

Meeks scored the most points (27) by a Golden Eagle during the 2022-23 season. His 27 points is the most since Josh Dilling scored 28 during the 2020-21 season. Saturday marked Beamish's first conference win as the head coach for the Golden Eagles.

Minnesota Crookston will hit the road to take on the University of Mary Friday, February 3 at 5:30 p.m., in Bismarck, N.D.