CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team opens conference play Tuesday, November 21 at 5:30 p.m., against Minot State University at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium. 

The Golden Eagles are looking to build off their 3-2 start in non-conference play. Minnesota Crookston last had an over .500 record in non-conference games during the 2019-20 season. The Golden Eagles went 4-1 during that season. Minnesota Crookston still plays Minot State in a non-conference tilt December 30. Minot State comes into Crookston with a 2-1 mark. The Beavers have continually been a thorn in Minnesota Crookston's side in their series history. Minot State leads the match-up 32-6. The Beavers have won the last six games in the series. Minnesota Crookston's last win came February 14, 2020 in Minot, N.D. Their last victory at home over Minot State was November 29, 2005. 

Minnesota Crookston vs. Minot State

Tuesday, November 21 - 5:30 p.m.
Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Stats - TA 0 TB 0 20:00 1st Half (goldeneaglesports.com)
Watch Live - University of Minnesota Crookston on the NSIC Network

Minnesota Crookston comes into their conference opener with a 3-2 mark. The Golden Eagles are coming off one of their program's biggest victories as they defeated 2022-23 NCAA Tournament participant and 20-win team University of Wisconsin-Parkside 67-60 on Saturday. The Golden Eagles have non-conference wins over Parkside, East Central University, and Oklahoma Baptist University. They are in their second season under Head Coach Bryan Beamish. Minnesota Crookston has already surpassed their win total from the 2022-23 season.

Blaize-in - Minnesota Crookston junior Blaize Sagna is off to a great start to his second season as a Golden Eagle. The London, England native leads the team with 19.2 points per game. He is also averaging 4.2 rebounds per tilt. Sagna had a career-high 34 points in Minnesota Crookston's last home game Wednesday against Concordia University-St. Paul. He comes into Tuesday's tilt shooting 43.8 percent from the field, and 45.0 percent from beyond the arc. 

I Grant You One Wish - Minnesota Crookston junior Reid Grant has been an important addition to the fray for the 2023-24 season. The University of North Dakota transfer has been the straw that stirs the drink so far, doing a lot of the little things to help the Golden Eagles to victory. Grant comes in notching 16.8 points per game. He leads the team with 3.6 assists per tilt. The Johnston, Iowa native is shooting an astonishing 55.4 percent from the field, and 51.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Deng Good - Golden Eagle junior Aguek Deng has been an important addition to Minnesota Crookston's line-up this season. Deng has been crucial on the glass, averaging 10.8 boards per game. He also is notching 8.6 points per tilt. Deng had back-to-back doubles against Davenport University and Parkside. In the game with the Rangers, Deng had 11 points and 13 boards. His work on the boards will continue to be crucial for Minnesota Crookston.

Local Talent - Minnesota Crookston junior Ben Hoverson from right in their backyard of Grand Forks, N.D., has been a big addition to the team this season. The Dakota State University transfer is averaging 8.8 points per game. Hoverson's best game came with 17 points against East Central University. Hoverson is shooting 40.0 percent from the field, and 38.5 percent from distance.

Hey Tray, What Do You Say - De'Antray Hughes was a key returnee for Minnesota Crookston heading into this season. So far he is notching 7.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per tilt. He had 11 points and nine boards last Friday versus Davenport.

Mitchell Off The Bench - Jordan Mitchell played an important role off the bench in Minnesota Crookston's win over Parkside last Saturday. Mitchell came in and scored seven points and grabbed an important seven rebounds to help the Golden Eagles past the Rangers. 

Minot State enters Tuesday's game with a 2-1 mark. The Beavers lost last Saturday to Montana State University-Billings 82-64. Minot State picked up wins over Rogers State University, and Newman University. The Beavers are in their 12th season under Head Coach Matt Murken. They come into the game averaging 73.0 points per game, and allowing 66.3. They are shooting 45.7 percent from the field, and a 36.1 percent clip from beyond the arc. They are outrebound their opponents by nearly five rebounds per game.

Jaxon From Three - Jaxon Gunville has been a strong shooter for the Beavers. He comes in hitting at a 45.8 percent clip from beyond the arc. Gunville leads Minot State, averaging 13.7 points per game. Gunville's best game came with 21 against Newman.

On Broadway - Khari Broadway has been an important piece for Minot State. The 6-1 guard from Brooklyn Center, Minn., is notching 13.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Beavers. Broadway is shooting 35.5 percent from the field, and 84.2 percent from the foul line. He has a propensity to get to the stripe, leading the Beavers with 19 free throws this season. 

Hollenbeck Down Low - Connor Hollenbeck, a 6-7 junior, leads the Beavers on the glass with six boards per game. He comes into the week notching 8.0 points per game. He had nine rebounds in the team's season opener against Rogers State. 

Projected Starters
Minnesota Crookston
Jr. PG 1 Blaize Sagna, 6-3 190, London, England, 19.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG
Jr. SG 3 Reid Grant, 6-3 185, Johnston, Iowa, 16.8 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 3.6 APG
Jr. SF 33 Ben Hoverson, 6-6 210, Grand Forks, N.D., 8.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG
R-Jr. PF 13 Aguek Deng, 6-9 195, Des Moines, Iowa, 8.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG
R-Sr. C 2 De'Antray Hughes, 6-7 205, New Orleans, La., 7.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG
Top Bench Players
R-Jr. F 10 Jordan Mitchell, 6-8 205, Columbus, Ohio, 3.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG
R-Fr. G 12 Peter Fuchs, Jr., 6-4 190, Wausau, Wis., 5.0 PPG, 1.2 RPG

Minot State
Sr. PG 2 Khari Broadway, 6-1 190, Brooklyn Park, Minn., 13.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG
Jr. SG 24 Jaxon Gunville, 6-0 185, Minot, N.D., 13.7 PPG, 1.3 RPG
Sr. 3G 3 Ben Bohl, 6-3 185, Minot, N.D., 6.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG
Sr. SF 4 Michael Jok, 6-5 195, Pakenham, Australia, 7.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG
Jr. PF 23 Connor Hollenbeck, 6-7 225, Rapid City, S.D., 8.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.3 APG
Top Bench Players
Jr. G 21 Jalen Cook, 6-5 195, Brooklyn Park, Minn., 11.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG
Jr. G 1 Kameron Givens, 6-2 175, Minneapolis, Minn., 6.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG
5th G 0 Jake Lieppert, 6-4 200, Scottsdale, Ariz., 6.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG