Crookston, Minn. – Northern State jumped out to an 11 point halftime lead and withstood two Golden Eagle chances at the buzzer to tie it to defeat Minnesota Crookston, 62-59, in NSIC men's basketball action on Thursday.
 
Minnesota Crookston falls to 5-19 (4-14 NSIC).
 
Minnesota Crookston would rely on freshman Brayden Carlson (Fr., C, Woodbury, Minn.) early on in the game, as he would give the Golden Eagles an early 4-2 advantage.
 
NSU would go on a 13-0 run and take a 15-4 lead, but Andrew Stokes (Jr., F, Westchester, Ill.) would halt the run with his first bucket.
 
NSU would eventually extend their lead to 32-15, but Jordan Mitchell (R-Sr., C, Columbus, Ohio) would finish a layup in the paint to cut the lead to 32-17.
 
A Stokes tap-back at the buzzer would cut the Golden Eagle deficit to 11 heading into the halftime break.
 
Reid Grant (Sr., G, Johnston, Iowa) would do it all in the early goings of the second half. Grant would score six straight and help the Golden Eagles cut the deficit to just one at 38-38.
 
NSU would keep the lead around the three to five mark, but the Golden Eagles would finally take their first lead since early on in the game at 50-49, following buckets from Mitchell and Grant.
 
Trailing by two, GD Deng (Jr., G, Des Moines, Iowa) would bury his second three of the season, regaining the lead for the maroon and gold at 54-53.
 
Tied at 58, NSU would score four in a row to eventually take a 62-59 lead following Grant going 1-2 at the charity stripe.
 
GD Deng would force a turnover, giving the Golden Eagles a chance to tie it. The Golden Eagles would get a pair of good looks, but they would fall off the rim as the Wolves would pull out the three point win.
 
Grant would score 15 second half points for 21 total in the game, leading the Golden Eagles. Carlson added a career-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, also a career best. Mitchell added a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Stokes also added nine points and seven rebounds.
 
Minnesota Crookston dominated the glass, 45-28.
 
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston is back in action a week from tomorrow, as they travel to Sioux Falls to take on the University of Sioux Falls for a 5:30 P.M., tip, from the Stewart Center.