CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team fell 66-64 Saturday, November 16 in an overtime thriller at home against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The Rangers' Rokas Castillo hit a contested three-pointer with 1.7 seconds remaining in overtime to send Parkside to victory.
The Golden Eagles dropped to 1-2 despite the strong effort Saturday. Parkside improved to 1-2 with the victory.
Minnesota Crookston was guided by Chandler Meeks (R-So., Omaha, Neb.), who notched 20 points on 9-of-17 from the field. Jordan Mitchell (R-Sr., F, Columbus, Ohio) tallied 10 points, and nine boards. Christian Bowen-Webb (Jr., G, Atchison, Kan.) came off the bench for a career-high nine points on three triples. Micah Garrett (Jr., G, Portland, Ore.) added seven points, while Reid Grant (Sr., G, Johnston, Iowa) dished out seven assists.
The Golden Eagles shot 28-of-61 from the field for 45.9 percent. They were 7-of-17 for 41.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 1-of-4 from the foul line. Minnesota Crookston had 14 assists to 10 turnovers. They were outrebounded 34-26.
The Rangers were guided by their three-point shooting, as they hit seven treys in the first half. Nick Brown propelled Parkside with 26 points. Ethan Ivan finished with 13 points, and eight rebounds. Cameron Mallory finished with eight points, and 10 boards. Rokas Castillo added 12 points. Parkside went 23-of-45 for 51.1 percent. The Rangers were 11-of-22 for 50.0 percent from distance, and 9-of-13 from the charity stripe. Parkside finished with 11 assists, to 18 turnovers.
The Golden Eagles held an early 4-3 advantage after a Mitchell bucket off a Grant helper. Parkside responded with a 7-0 run to take the 10-4 lead on a Brown basket. Minnesota Crookston countered with a 9-0 run, as a Meeks jumper gave the Golden Eagles a 13-10 advantage with 12:25 remaining in the first half. Minnesota Crookston led 22-15 after a Mitchell jumper with 8:25 remaining. Parkside countered with three-straight treys to take a 24-22 advantage. An Aguek Deng (Sr., F, Des Moines, Iowa) basket knotted the game 24-24 with 4:48 left in the half. The score remained tied after Grant nailed a three-pointer with 2:53 left in the half. The Rangers ended the stanza on a 5-0 run to go into the locker room ahead 34-29.
An Ivan jumper to open the second half put Parkside ahead 36-29. Minnesota Crookston responded with a 7-0 run to tie the game 36-36 after a Garrett trey. The Rangers took a 44-38 lead following a Castillo three-pointer with 13:27 left in regulation. Minnesota Crookston knotted the game 44-44 on a Brayden Carlson (Fr., F/C, Woodbury, Minn.) bucket. Parkside took the lead back 53-47 after a Matas Castillo basket. The Rangers remained ahead 59-51 after a pair of Brown free throws with 3:53 left in regulation. Minnesota Crookston ended regulation on an 8-0 run as a Meeks basket with 42 seconds remaining forced overtime, tying the tilt 59-59.
Meeks opened the overtime period with a triple to make it 62-59. The Golden Eagles held the lead 64-61 after a Grant basket with 1:44 left in overtime. Parkside pulled within 64-63 on a Mallory jumper. After a closely missed Grant basket, and a free throw, Parkside hit a contested triple from Rokas Castillo to win the game 66-64. Grant had a half-court shot that rattled on the rim, but Parkside hung on for the win.
Minnesota Crookston remains at Lysaker Gymnasium to host former NSIC foe Upper Iowa University Sunday, November 17 at 2 p.m.
