Crookston, Minn. -- The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team fell to Upper Iowa, 75-65. The Golden Eagles dominated the first half, outscoring the Peacocks 44-27, but couldn't maintain their momentum in the second half, as the Peacocks outscored the Golden Eagles, 48-21, for the 10 point win.
The Golden Eagles controlled the first half, fueled by a standout performance from Reid Grant Sr., G, Johnston, Iowa), who scored 18 points before halftime. Early in the game, Jordan Mitchell's (R-Sr., F, Columbus, Ohio) layup and Reid Grant's three-pointer gave the Eagles a 5-2 lead, which they held throughout the half. A quick 8-0 run extended their advantage to 12 points, but Upper Iowa responded with a 6-0 run of their own. Mitchell terminated the Peacocks' momentum with a layup at the 12:47 mark.
Christian Bowen-Webb (Jr., G, Atchison, Kan.) added a three-pointer to push the Eagles ahead 21-14 with 10:46 remaining. A Micah Garrett (Jr., G, Portland, Ore.) three-pointer and a Chandler Meeks layup, would further extend the lead to 12 points. Bowen-Webb knocked down another three late in the half, giving the Eagles a 15-point cushion. Minnesota Crookston entered halftime with a commanding 44-27 lead.
Strong defense from the eagles was key to maintaining their first-half lead. Aguek Deng (Sr., F, Des Moines, Iowa) and Ben Hoverson (Sr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) each recorded three blocks, while Jordan Mitchell added one. Off the bench, Landon Dimler (Fr., G, Mankato, MN.) made an impact with four rebounds, while Mitchell, Reid Grant, and Hoverson each contributed three rebounds.
Despite their first half-efforts, the Golden Eagles could not hold off the Peacocks.
Upper Iowa opened the second half with a layup by Kyle Hrncir but Chandler Meeks quickly responded with a three-pointer for the Golden Eagles. Nick Reid followed with a three-point shot for the Peacocks, capitalizing on a Golden Eagle turnover with a Caleb Delzell layup, prompting an Eagle timeout with 17:48 left. Coming out of the break, Jordan Mitchell sank a floater off an assist from Aguek Deng, but Nick Reid countered with another layup, cutting the deficit to 13.
Nick Reid then drained a three-pointer at the 16:05 mark, sparking a 7-0 run that brought the Peacocks within eight points. Reid Grant stopped the run with a crucial three-pointer.
The Peacocks mounted another 7-0 surge, cutting the Golden Eagles' lead to just four points. Grant responded with a layup, extending the lead to 54-48 with 11:23 remaining. However, Jack Miller's three-point play and Noah King's layup tied the game at 54-54 with 9:20 left. Mitchell briefly regained the lead for the Eagles with a layup, but Delzell answered to tie the game again at 8:37.
Upper Iowa seized their first lead of the game at the 7:03 mark with a Gavin Hershberger layup. Delzell extended the lead to four points at 60-56. An Aguek Deng block and a Christian Bowen-Webb clutch three-pointer narrowing would slow the Peacock's momentum, however, it wasn't enough.
A late layup by Hershberger pushed the lead to 67-62 with 2:19 remaining. Fouls by the Golden Eagles sent Hrncir and Noah King to the line, furthering the Peacocks' lead to 71-62. Ben Hoverson hit a three-pointer with 54 seconds left to cut the deficit, but additional free throws from Hrncir sealed Upper Iowa's 75-65 victory.
The Golden Eagles finished the game shooting 40.6% (26-64) from the field and 38.5% (10-26) from beyond the arc. However, struggles at the free-throw line were costly, as they converted just 37.5% (3-8) of their attempts.
The team was led by Reid Grant, who had a career high with an impressive performance with 26 points, four assists, and five rebounds. Jordan Mitchell contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, while Christian Bowen-Webb added nine points. Aguek Deng made a significant defensive impact with four blocks and five rebounds, and Ben Hoverson added three blocks. Off the bench, Landon Dimler made his presence felt with seven rebounds for the Eagles.
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston heads to Division I North Dakota State on Thursday. Tip-off in the exhibition game is set for 7 P.M., from the Scheels Center.
