Crookston, Minn. – Southwest Minnesota State used a strong second half, turning a eight point halftime lead into a 26 point win at Minnesota Crookston on Friday night, 70-44.
 
The Golden Eagles fall to 3-10 overall (2-5 NSIC).
 
Minnesota Crookston would take an early 3-2 lead on an old-fashioned three-point play from Chandler Meeks (R-So., G, Omaha, Neb.).
 
Reid Grant (Sr., G, Johnston, Iowa) would give the Golden Eagles a 9-8 lead, finishing in the paint after a great feed from Jordan Mitchell (R-Sr., F, Columbus, Ohio).
 
SMSU would score 11 in a row, but Brayden Carlson (Fr., C, Woodbury, Minn.) would finish near the rim, halting the run and making it 19-11.
 
The Golden Eagles would trail 26-14, but Cayden Swenby (Fr., G, Fertile, Minn.) would pull-up and drill a jumper, making it a 10 point game.
 
Micah Garrett (Jr., G, Portland, Ore.) and Meeks would score four straight points, cutting the lead to 27-22. SMSU would lead 30-22 heading into halftime.
 
SMSU would score nine of the first 11 points of the second half, but Garrett would cash in the first three of the night for the Golden Eagles, cutting the Mustang lead to 12.
 
Minnesota Crookston would get as close as those 12 points in the second half, but SMSU would control the second 20 minutes, earning the 70-44 win.
 
Grant led the way offensively, finishing with nine points, while pulling down four rebounds and dishing out three assists. Andrew Stokes (Jr., F, Westchester, Ill.) added eight points and five rebounds. Meeks and Landon Dimler (Fr., F, Mankato, Minn.) both added six points.
 
Minnesota Crookston shot a season low 30.9 percent from the field in the game.
 
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston will look for the split tomorrow night as they host the University of Sioux Falls for a 5:30 tip-off.