Winona, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston and Winona State played in a low scoring affair on Friday night in McCown Gymnasium, but Winona State pulled away late for the five point victory, 58-53.
 
The Golden Eagles fall to 1-14 (0-9 NSIC), while Winona State improves to 9-5 (4-5 NSIC).
 
More than likely in a low scoring affair, there wouldn't be much scoring early on. That would be the case on Friday night.
 
Chandler Meeks (Fr., G, Omaha, Neb.) would finish a layup for two of his team-high 15 points to give the Golden Eagles a 10-9 lead midway through the second half.
 
A possession later, Blaize Sagna (So., G, London, England) would also finish a layup for a three-point lead.
 
Both teams would go back-and-forth the entire first half, but a Sagna bucket at the end of the first half would put the Golden Eagles up by one, 25-24 at the end of the first half. It would be the second time in three games that the Golden Eagles would lead by one at the end of the first half.
 
Winona State would come out firing, taking a lead of as much as eight midway through the final half, but a Rambo Badyal (Sr., G, Kelowna, British Columbia) would bury a three to cut the lead to five.
 
A Jordan Mitchell (R-So., F, Columbus, Ohio) layup would make it 47-46 with 4:35 left in the second half, but Connor Dillon would answer with a pair of free throws to extend the lead back to three.
 
Winona State would make big plays down the stretch for the five point victory.
 
Meeks led the way with 15 points and two rebounds, while Sagna continued his hot stretch, finishing with 13 points and three boards. De'Antray Hughes (Jr., F, New Orleans, La.) had eight points and five boards.
 
The Golden Eagles shot 36 percent from the field in the game.
 
Minnesota Crookston will close out their road trip tomorrow night at Upper Iowa. Tip-off from Fayette, Iowa is set for 5:30 P.M.