ABERDEEN, S.D. - Chandler Meeks (R-So., G, Omaha, Neb.) sank a mid-range jumper with 16.2 seconds remaining to help send the University of Minnesota Crookston to a 73-71 win over Northern State University. The Golden Eagles outscored the Wolves 29-23 in the second half, limiting NSU defensively in the second stanza.

Minnesota Crookston improved to 3-8 (2-3 NSIC) with the victory over the Wolves. The win was the first for the Golden Eagles at Wachs Arena. Minnesota Crookston is 2-1 against Northern State in the last three meetings. The Wolves dropped to 1-10 (0-5 NSIC) with Friday's loss. Minnesota Crookston has played 10 games within 11 points this season.

The Golden Eagles were led by Reid Grant (Sr., G, Johnston, Iowa) with 19 points, and five assists. Grant was 7-of-18 from the field. Andrew Stokes (Jr., G/F, Westchester, Ill.) chipped in 17 points, and eight boards. Meeks finished with 12 points, and five boards. Brayden Carlson (Fr., F/C, Woodbury, Minn.) came off the bench for six points, and five boards.

The Golden Eagles shot 24-of-68 for 35.3 percent. They went 7-of-25 for 28.0 percent from distance, and were 18-of-23 for 78.3 percent from the stripe. Minnesota Crookston notched 11 assists, to eight turnovers. They were edged on the glass 44-42, but had 14 offensive rebounds.

The Wolves were guided by James Glenn with 23 points, including 5-of-12 from three. Kwat Abdelkarim notched 15 points, and seven boards. Tori Obiora had a double-double of 11 points, and 13 boards, while Marcus Burks notched 10 points.

Northern State shot 23-of-59 for 39.0 percent. They were 10-of-28 for 35.7 percent from three-point range, and 15-of-23 for 65.2 percent from the foul line.

Northern State took an early 8-4 lead following an Abdelkarim three-pointer. An Obiora two gave Northern State a 13-6 lead with 15:30 remaining in the first half. The Wolves extended their lead to 17-8 with an Obiora free throw. Minnesota Crookston countered with a 4-0 run with a dunk from Carlson, and a basket from Grant to pull within 17-12. A Kaleb Mitchell basket pushed the Northern State lead to 21-12. The Wolves pushed the lead to 26-14 after a string of free throws following a technical foul. The Golden Eagles cut the deficit to 26-17 following a Micah Garrett (Jr., G, Portland, Ore.) trey. A Glenn trey widened the Northern State advantage to 30-18 with under eight minutes remaining in the half. The U of M Crookston brought the deficit within 40-30 on a Grant triple. Northern State was able to push the lead back out to 43-30 with a Glenn triple. Minnesota Crookston got the deficit under double-digits as Stokes fed Grant for a trey with three minutes remaining in the half. An Abdelkarim put Northern State back ahead 48-36, but Grant responded with a three to cut the deficit to 48-39 with over two minutes remaining in the half. A Ben Hoverson triple brought the lead for the Wolves down to five (48-43) with 1:06 left in the first stanza. Northern State went into the locker room with a 48-44 advantage. 

Stokes found a pair at the hoop to open the second half to bring the U of M Crookston within 48-46. Stokes knotted the game 48-48 following a pair of free throws. Stokes continued his run as he scored six-straight points for the Golden Eagles to make it 50-50. The Golden Eagles took the 52-50 advantage following a basket from Mitchell with 16:30 remaining in the tilt. However, Glenn countered with a triple on the other end to tilt the lead back to Northern State 53-52. Minnesota Crookston took a 54-53 lead as Stokes made it eight points in the first five minutes. The Wolves grabbed the lead back with a Glenn triple to make it 56-54. They extended their advantage to 61-56 after an Ethan Russell trey with under 13 minutes left in the game. Minnesota Crookston pulled within 61-60 on a Grant mid-range with over 10:30 remaining. The Golden Eagles took the 62-61 lead as Carlson hit a pair of free throws. Minnesota Crookston extended their advantage to 65-61 with a triple from Christian Bowen-Webb. The score remained at 65-61 for over four minutes until Abdelkarim hit a pair of free throws for Northern State to pull within 65-63 with 5:21 left in the tilt. The Golden Eagles ended an over five minute scoreless streak with a Meeks lay-up to extend their lead to 67-63. The Wolves knotted the game 67-67 as Glenn drove the lane for a pair with three minutes on the clock. Northern State took a 69-67 advantage after hitting a pair at the stripe. Stokes tied the game 69-69 with a pair at the line for the U of M Crookston. Meeks was fouled on the rebound, going to the line for a pair with 1:12 remaining, where he hit both from the line to put Minnesota Crookston ahead 71-69. On the other end, Burks was fouled going to the lane and hit both to knot the game 71-71 with 57 seconds left to tick off the clock. After an offensive board, Meeks hit a mid-range jumper with 16.2 seconds remaining to give the Golden Eagles a 73-71 advantage. The Wolves missed two opportunities in the final seconds as Minnesota Crookston held on for the victory. 

Minnesota Crookston looks to continue a strong weekend as they face Minnesota State University Moorhead Saturday, December 21 at 5:30 p.m.