Sioux Falls, S.D. -- Spencer Swenson (Fr., F, Sauk Rapids, Minn.) scored 21 of his career-high 27 points in the second half, propelling to a thrilling 85-78 win for Minnesota Crookston over the University of Sioux Falls on the road, who had won their previous eight games.
Minnesota Crookston moves to 4-15 overall and 2-11 in the NSIC.
The Golden Eagles would get off to a fast start as Kazadi Mukoma, Jr. (Jr., F, Grand Island, Neb.) and Alijah Washington (R-Jr., G, San Jose, Calif.) would tickle the twine on a pair of threes for an early 6-0 lead.
The Cougars would eventually tie the score at 10, but GD Deng (Sr., G, Des Moines, Iowa) would connect on a left win three to regain the lead for the Golden Eagles and two possessions later, Mukoma, Jr. would bank in a wild three as the shot clock was expiring to give the Golden Eagles an 18-13 lead.
USF would take a 23-18 lead and would maintain a cushion of at least four before a Brayden Carlson (So., C, Woodbury, Minn.) tip-in on an offensive miss.
USF would take a 39-33 lead late in the half, but the Golden Eagles would finish the half strong on a 6-1 run following a pair of free throws from Brady Westphal (Fr., G, West Fargo, N.D.).
Early on in the half, USF would look like it would start to pull away but the maroon and gold would say not so fast.
USF would lead by eight at 51-43, but that's when Swenson decided to go nuclear. Swenson would score 10 straight points for the Golden Eagles to cut the 'Coo lead to just three at 56-53.
Midway through the half, Swenson would bring the Golden Eagles all the way back at give the Golden Eagles a 61-58 lead following six straight from the star freshman.
With six minutes remaining, USF would take a four point lead, but two freshmen, Lindsey and Westphal would score five in a row to regain a 70-69 lead. USF would score on the next possession, but Westphal would can another three to give the Golden Eagles a two point lead, which they would never relinquish.
That would start an 8-0 run for the Golden Eagles for a 78-71 lead following a pair of Swenson free throws.
USF would answer with a 7-0 run of their own to knot things back up at 78, but the Golden Eagles would counter with seven straight in the final 65 seconds for a massive Golden Eagle win, 85-78.
Swenson had a historic night for the Golden Eagles. Swenson finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds, the second double-double of his career. His 27 bench points are the most by a Golden Eagle since 2/22/13 when Ashton Harrell finished with 29 points off the bench in a win over St. Cloud State and his 21 second half points are the most by a Golden Eagle since Harrison Cleary scored 39 in the second half in a win over Wayne State College on 12/14/19. It's the most points by a Golden Eagle freshman since 2/20/21 when Josh Dilling finished with 28 against Bemidji State.
Washington finished with 17 points, while Lindsey and Mukoma, Jr., each finished with 13 points apiece. Westphal finished with eight points, a career-high against a Division II opponent. Deng finished with a season-high five points.
The Golden Eagles will go for a weekend sweep tomorrow as they head to Marshall for a date with Southwest Minnesota State on their annual Tropical Night. Tip-off is set for 7 PM.
