CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team went on an over six-minute scoring drought in the second half, as the University of Mary defeated the Golden Eagles 86-75. The U of M Crookston was knotted with the Marauders 53-53 with 12:22 remaining, and were trailing 68-55 with 5:50 left in the game when Micah Garrett (Jr., G, Portland, Ore.) broke the dry spell. They were unable to overcome the deficit down the stretch as the Marauders picked up the win.

UMary improved to 4-9 (2-2 NSIC) with the victory. Minnesota Crookston has had seven losses by 11 or less points this season, but sit at 2-8 (1-3 NSIC) after Saturday's loss. UMary has four-consecutive wins in the series.

Minnesota Crookston had four players score in double figures Saturday. Reid Grant (Sr., G, Johnston, Iowa) finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Garrett finished with 14 points, five boards, and three assists. Jordan Mitchell (R-Sr., F, Columbus, Ohio) notched 11 points, and six rebounds. Andrew Stokes (Jr., Westchester, Ill.) notched nine points, and five boards. Landon Dimler (Fr., G, Mankato, Minn.) finished with 10 points, while Christian Bowen-Webb (Jr., Atchison, Kan.) added nine.

The Golden Eagles went 31-of-72 from the field for 43.1 percent. They dropped in 11 three-pointers, hitting at a 44.0 percent clip Saturday. The U of M Crookston was 2-of-3 from the foul line. UMary edged the Golden Eagles on the glass 36-31. Minnesota Crookston tallied 11 offensive rebounds. They notched 14 assists, to just five turnovers. The Marauders had 15 assists, to 10 turnovers.

UMary was 31-of-53 for 58.5 percent. They were 8-of-14 for 57.1 percent from distance, and went 16-of-20 for 80.0 percent from the charity stripe. Kevin McGaskey lifted the Marauders with 18 points, and six assists. Jeremiah Jones notched a double-double of 16 points, and 11 boards. Ty Rogers had 15 points, and eight rebounds. Xavier Lewis notched 10 points, and six boards, while Rich Ashu had 10 points off the bench.

The Golden Eagles raced out to a 6-0 advantage after a Mitchell breakaway off a Grant assist. They pushed their lead to 11-3 with a Grant triple. The Marauders pulled within 16-14 with an Ashu basket. Minnesota Crookston extended their advantage to 21-16 with a Chandler Meek (R-So., G, Omaha, Neb.) old-fashioned three-point play. UMary countered with a 9-0 run, as a Jones triple gave the Marauders a 25-21 lead. The Golden Eagles took the lead back 31-27 after a Garrett trey. A Tamarrein Henderson triple knotted the game 39-39 heading into the locker room.

A Stokes bucket opened the second half to give the U of M Crookston a 41-39 lead. A Lewis dunk put a stamp on a 6-0 run to put UMary ahead 45-41 with 18:08 remaining in the game. The Golden Eagles tied the game 47-47 with a Mitchell basket with 16:39 left in the tilt. Minnesota Crookston remained right in the tilt, and knotted the tilt again, 53-53, following a Bowen-Webb trey. The Marauders countered with a 15-0 run, as Minnesota Crookston was unable to score for 6:32. The Golden Eagles got the deficit down to 11 at the conclusion of the tilt with a Garrett triple, but that would be as close as it would get as UMary picked up the victory.

Minnesota Crookston hits the road Friday, December 20 at Northern State University at 7:30 p.m.