Tahlequah, Minn. – Another slow start was the ultimate catalyst in a defeat for Minnesota Crookston on Saturday afternoon at Northeastern State, falling to the Riverhawks by seven, 80-73.
 
Minnesota Crookston falls to 0-2 on the very young season.
 
NSU would score the games first four points, but Landon Dimler (So., F, Mankato, Minn.) would bury a jumper to cut the lead in half.
 
NSU would eventually extend the lead to nine at 14-5, but Kazadi Mukoma, Jr., (Jr., F, Grand Island, Neb.) would bury another jumper in the early stages of a career best night for the new Golden Eagle.
 
NSU would take their largest lead of the night at 24-9, but the Golden Eagles would begin to chip away.
 
Donez Lindsey (Fr., G, Stockton, Calif.) and Alijah Washington (R-Jr., G, San Jose, Calif.) would get the Golden Eagles back within seven following a three from Lindsey and four straight points from Washington.
 
At the end of the first 20, the Golden Eagles would trail by nine at 45-36.
 
The Golden Eagles would start and chip away. NSU would get the lead back up to 10 at 48-38, but Minnesota Crookston would score ten straight, including five in a row from Mukoma, Jr.
 
Minutes later, J.D. Roberts (Jr., G/F, Parkville, Mo.) and Lindsey would give the Golden Eagles their first lead of the game with five straight points.
 
Caiden Swenby (So., G, Fertile, Minn.) would bury a tough midrange jumper to give the Golden Eagles back their three point advantage.
 
The game would see a pair of ties at 57 and 60, but NSU would take a 70-63 lead with just five minutes remaining.
 
With just over two minutes to go, Roberts would make another layup to make it a 71-69 game.
 
The Golden Eagles would get within two at 74-72, but a massive three by Taven Washington would ice the game as NSU would win 80-73.
 
Mukoma, Jr., and Lindsey each finished with career highs, as Mukoma, Jr., added 21 points and three rebounds, while Lindsey finished with 15 points and three boards. Washington scored 12 points and was a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line. Hunter Lorenson (So., G, Lake City, Minn.), Dimler and Roberts each added six points. Dimler finished with a career-high 14 rebounds.
 
The Golden Eagles shot just 4-22 from long range on the night and was 9-51 during the two game stretch from deep.
 
What's Next
It's the home opener for the maroon and gold on Wednesday, as they welcome in Oak Hills Christian College for a 6 PM tip inside Lysaker Gymnasium.