Tampa, Fla. – It was an instant classic on Saturday night in Tampa, as the University of Tampa would squeak by Minnesota Crookston in double overtime, 103-96. Minnesota Crookston had a four point lead in double overtime, but Tampa would close the period on a 13-2 run to win by seven.
Minnesota Crookston falls to 1-6 on the season.
The Golden Eagles would start fast, taking a 5-0 lead on a three from
Micah Garrett (Jr., G, Portland, Ore.) and a layup from
Andrew Stokes (Jr., F, Westchester, Ill.), who was making his first career start.
The Golden Eagles would stretch their lead to 14-7, following a layup from Garrett and a pair of free throws from
Chandler Meeks (R-So., G, Omaha, Neb.).
Ben Hoverson (Sr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) and
Christian Bowen-Webb (Jr., G, Atchison, Kan.) would help the Golden Eagles get their largest lead of the game at 11.
Tampa would score nine straight, but
Reid Grant (Sr., G, Johnston, Iowa) would finish a layup to halt the run.
Landon Dimler (Fr., F, Mankato, Minn.) would cash in on a fast break three, giving the Golden Eagles back the lead at 30-28.
In fact, that would be the start of three straight makes from behind the arc for Dimler, as the Spartans would take a 37-36 lead into the halftime break.
The Golden Eagles would score the first four points of the half, highlighted by a made layup from
Jordan Mitchell (R-Sr., F, Columbus, Ohio).
The half would continue to be back-and-forth, but the Golden Eagles would gain some separation with the help of Hoverson, who would bury a three right in front of his bench for a 60-54 lead.
With six minutes left, the Spartans would take a four point lead, but four straight from Stokes, who had a career day, would tie the game up at 68.
The game would be tied at 74 and a tough call on Meeks would foul the Omaha native out. From that point, the Spartans would score four in a row, taking a 78-74 lead in the final two minutes.
Stokes would finish a layup to make it 78-76 with 1:41 left in the game and the Golden Eagles would get a chance late. Grant would miss a three, but the offensive board would fall to
Hunter Lorenson (Fr., G, Lake City, Minn.), who would finish a layup with four seconds left to tie the game up. Lorenson would steal the inbounds pass and have a chance to win it, but his three went long, meaning overtime.
The Spartans would start out quick in the overtime, taking an 88-81 lead, but the scrappy Golden Eagles would fight back. Stokes would start the late 7-0 run with a layup, followed by a Mitchell layup.
The Golden Eagles would get stops and then Grant would tie the game up with a straightaway three, sending the game to a second overtime.
Tied at 88, the Golden Eagles would score the first four and would have a 94-90 lead, but the Spartans would close strong for the seven point win.
Mitchell was outstanding in the loss, scoring 19 points and pulling down 14 rebounds, while also dishing out six assists and swatting three blocks. Stokes added 18, the most he's scored in a Golden Eagle uniform, while also pulling down seven boards. Grant finished with a double-double as well, scoring 12 points and dishing out 11 assists. Grant was two rebounds away from his first career triple-double. Hoverson finished with a season-high 12 points off the bench, while Garrett added ten. Dimler finished with a career-high nine points.
What's Next
It's home sweet home for the Golden Eagles, who will be back at home next Friday, as they welcome in Bemidji State on Friday night. Tip-off with the Beavers is set for 7:30 P.M.
