BISMARCK, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team took the University of Mary to overtime Friday, February 3, but fell 84-77. Rambo Badyal (Sr., Kelowna, British Columbia) scored 11 points in the final six minutes of regulation to help force overtime at the McDowell Activity Center in Bismarck, N.D. The Marauders combated the late charge in overtime by scoring the final 11 points in the game.

Minnesota Crookston dropped to 2-21 (1-16 NSIC) with the loss. They were seeking back-to-back wins after defeating Southwest Minnesota State University last Saturday. UMary improved to 11-10 (7-10 NSIC) with the victory. The Marauders picked up the season sweep.

The Golden Eagles were guided by Blaize Sagna (So., G, London, England) with 25 points on 9-of-17 from the field, and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Sagna added seven rebounds, and four assists. Badyal added 17 points on 7-of-17 from the field, 11 coming in the final six minutes of regulation. 17 points is the season-high for Badyal. Chandler Meeks (Fr., Omaha, Neb.)  chipped in 10 points. Xzavier Jones (Jr., G/F, Milwaukee, Wis.) added nine points and five boards. Badyal finished with six rebounds to go with his 17 points.

The Golden Eagles shot 30-of-70 from the field for 42.9 percent. Minnesota Crookston went 8-of-28 for 28.6 percent from beyond the arc. They were 9-of-10 from the foul line. The Golden Eagles were outrebounded 48-33. UMary obtained 16 offensive rebounds.

UMary shot 29-of-71 for 40.8 percent from the field. The Marauders were 11-of-30 for 36.7 percent from beyond the arc. UMary was 15-of-22 for 68.2 percent from the foul line. Lucas Mayer paced the Marauders with 18 points and 16 boards. Treyton Mattern added 16 points. Kam Warren finished with 13 points and six boards. Zyon Smith added 12 points, while Jermiah Jones had 11 points and seven boards.

Minnesota Crookston jumped out to an early 8-4 lead after Meeks scored with 15:45 left in the first half. UMary used an 11-0 run to take a 17-10 advantage following a Warrens three-pointer. The Marauders pushed out to a 23-14 advantage following a Jones basket with 10:44 left in the stanza. UMN Crookston came back with a 7-0 run of their own, as Xzavier Jones scored to bring the Golden Eagles within 23-21 with 8:56 remaining in the frame. UMary responded with a 6-0 run as a Mattern trey gave the Marauders a 29-21 lead. The Marauders built their lead out to 13 points (44-31) with a Smith bucket with 3:39 remaining in the first half. The Golden Eagles closed out the first half on an 11-5 run as a Sagna trey brought the Golden Eagles within 49-42 heading into the locker room.

The Marauders embarked on an 8-0 run to open the second half to go up 57-42 on a Warrens triple. UMary held a 61-48 lead following a Xavier Lewis basket. Minnesota Crookston responded with a 6-0 run as a Sagna basket cut the deficit to 61-54 with 11:49 remaining in regulation. The Marauders took their lead out to nine (65-56) after a Mayer bucket with 7:39 left in the second half. The deficit remained at nine with 5:54 remaining. Badyal and Meeks then spurred on a rally for the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Crookston overtook the Marauders 68-67 on a Meeks basket with 3:35 left in the stanza. Warrens responded on the opposite end with a bucket to put UMary ahead 69-68. After a Smith turnover, Meeks scored to put Minnesota Crookston back ahead with 2:12 left in regulation. Mayer knotted the game up for UMary at 70-70 with 1:44 remaining. With 55 seconds left, Jeremiah Jones drained a three to give the Marauders the 73-70 advantage. Minnesota Crookston was able to respond as Badyal sank a triple of his own with 42 seconds left to knot up the game. Neither team was able to hit the game-winner in regulation as the two headed for extra time.

The Golden Eagles scored the first four points of overtime to go ahead 77-73 with 3:12 left in the tilt. They went cold from there though, as UMary countered with an 11-0 run to end overtime and pick up the 84-77 win.

Minnesota Crookston returns to action Saturday, February 4 at 3:30 p.m. at Minot State University.