MINOT, N.D. - Minot State University fended off a late charge by the University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team to win 69-61. The Golden Eagles pulled within two points with 1:38 left in the game, but were unable to get the decisive buckets down the stretch as Minot State held off the push for Minnesota Crookston.

The Golden Eagles fall to 1-9 (0-5 NSIC) with Saturday's loss at the Minot State Dome. Minot State improved to 6-5 (3-2 NSIC) with the victory. The two squads went 1-1 in their games last year. Minot State is 13-2 all-time in the series in games in Minot.

Minnesota Crookston played one of their best defensive games of the season, as they limited the Beavers under 70 points. It was the second game this season in which the Golden Eagles held a Division II opponent under 70 points. The Golden Eagles were able to dominate the glass 46-38, including 14 offensive rebounds.

They were guided by Alijah Washington (R-Jr., San Jose, Calif.) paced the Golden Eagles with 17 points on 6-of-12 from the field, and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Washington also had five rebounds. Donez Lindsey (Fr., G, Stockton, Calif.) finished with 12 points and six boards. Spencer Swenson (Fr., F, Sauk Rapids, Minn.) added nine points and eight boards, while Quincy Everson (Fr., G, Goodyear, Ariz.) finished with eight points. Minnesota Crookston's freshman class finished with 29 points and 17 rebounds.

The Golden Eagles shot 19-of-63 for 30.2 percent. They went 7-of-26 for 26.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 16-of-24 for 66.7 percent from the line. Minnesota Crookston finished with 12 turnovers.

Minot State relied on three players offensively. Deuce Benjamin led the way with 27 points on 8-of-18 from the field, and 9-of-9 from the line. Darik Dissette added 18 points and eight boards, while Carson Yale had 10 points and seven boards. Minot State was 26-of-60 from the field for 43.3 percent. They were defended well from the arc, going just 4-of-17 for 23.5 percent. At the line, Minot State was 13-of-16 for 81.3 percent.

Minnesota Crookston got out to a 5-2 lead on a Swenson basket. The Beavers countered with a 12-0 run as a Benjamin bucket put Minot State ahead 14-5. The Golden Eagles responded utilizing a 7-2 rally as a Lindsey free throw pulled the squad within 16-12. A Benjamin trey for Minot State widened the gap to 26-15 with 6:38 left in the first stanza. A 4-0 run led by a Quincy Everson bucket brought the U of M Crookston within 26-19. Minnesota Crookston trimmed the deficit to 30-25 on a Brayden Carlson bucket with 2:48 left in the half. A Dissette jumper put the Beavers ahead 32-25, but Minnesota Crookston was able to cut the Minot State lead to three (32-29) on a pair of Swenson free throws. The Beavers concluded the first half on a 6-2 run to go into the break with a 38-31 advantage. 

A pair of Isaiah Alexander free throws extended the Beaver advantage to 42-33 early in the second half. A Washington triple pulled the deficit to six with over 18 minutes remaining in the tilt. Minot State responded with a 5-0 run as a Yale jumper pushed the Beaver lead to 47-36 with 16:48 left in the game. Minnesota Crookston pulled back within 50-43 after a Landon Dimler free throw with 13:35 remaining in the contest. The Golden Eagles clawed away at the lead as a Washington putback cut the Beaver edge to five points (52-47) with just over 10 minutes left in the game. Minot State was able to use a 5-0 run on Benjamin free throws to extend their lead to 59-49 with 8:21 left in the tilt. The Golden Eagles countered with a 4-0 run of their own as Everson free throws pulled the squad within 59-53 with under eight minutes left in the game. Minnesota Crookston stayed persistent down the stretch and pulled within four points (63-59) on a Lindsey basket with 2:31 left to tick off the clock. After a defensive stop and a Benjamin foul, Lindsey sank a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to 63-61 with 1:38 remaining in the tilt. On the following possession, Benjamin was fouled and hit both free throws to widen the gap to 65-61 with 1:22 left in the game. After a Minot State stop, Yale was fouled and drained both to extend the lead to 67-61. Washington was fouled but missed a pair of free throws. Minot State was able to hold on for a 69-61 victory at home. 

Minnesota Crookston will play an exhibition with North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D. December 15, before returning home for four-straight games over Holiday break beginning Wednesday, December 17 versus the University of Jamestown at 5:30 p.m.