Crookston, Minn. – Minnesota Crookston held the Minnesota Crookston terrific trio of Austin Andrews, Joshua Brown and Charlie Katona to just 19 combined points, but it was Kole Hanson, who finished with 20 points, leading the Bulldogs to a 76-66 win, escaping Crookston with the win.
 
Minnesota Crookston falls to 5-22 (4-17 NSIC).
 
The Bulldogs would jump out to an early 15-8 lead, but it would be the freshmen for the maroon and gold who would start to chip away. Landon Dimler (Fr., F, Mankato, Minn.) would bury a long two and Caiden Swenby (Fr., G, Fertile, Minn.) would cash in on a three, tying the game at 15.
 
UMD would take a 27-20 lead, but Micah Garrett (So., G, Portland, Ore.) would make back-to-back buckets, cutting the Bulldog lead to four at 28-24.
 
Later in the half, UMD would take their largest lead up to the point at eight, but Reid Grant (Sr., G, Johnston, Iowa) would connect from deep, cutting the lead to nine.
 
The Bulldogs would take their first double digit lead of the game, but once again, Grant would cash in on a long ball and cut the deficit to eight heading into the halftime break.
 
UMD would come out of the half and stretch their lead to two points larger than their halftime lead at 10, but Hunter Lorenson (Fr., G, Lake City, Minn.) would cash in on a pair of free throws to cut the lead back down to eight.
 
Minnesota Crookston would stay within the six point mark, but they would get as close as four following a pair of Jordan Mitchell (R-Sr., C, Columbus, Ohio) free throws.
 
Back-to-back buckets from Grant would get the game back within two with 2:20 to go, but the Bulldogs would go on a 10-2 run in the final two minutes to close out the Golden Eagles.
 
Playing in his final Friday night home game, Grant finished with 20 points and was 8-13 from the three-point line. Garrett finished with 15 points and five rebounds, while Mitchell added nine points and 10 rebounds. Aguek Deng (R-Sr., F, Des Moines, Iowa) was unreal on the glass, finishing with 15 rebounds.
 
The Golden Eagles shot just 6-28 in the second half, but made 18 free throws in the half, which is their most in a single half all season long.
 
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston will look to end the season on a high note, as they host Concordia-St. Paul for senior night. Tip-off is set for 3:30 and senior ceremonies will commence at around 3:20.