Winona, Minn. -- Minnesota Crookston controlled Winona State from the onset, winning in wire-to-wire fashion for a 67-62 win over the Warriors on the road.
Minnesota Crookston improves to 3-12 and 1-8 in the NSIC.
The Golden Eagles would move out to a fast start, as they would take an 8-0 lead on back-to-back trey balls from Donez Lindsey (Fr., G, Stockton, Calif.) and Kazadi Mukoma, Jr. (Jr., F, Grand Island, Neb.).
Minnesota Crookston would then take a 10-0 lead on a pair of free throws by Alijah Washington (R-Jr., G, San Jose, Wash.) before WSU would finally get on the board.
Later in the half, Mukoma, Jr. would bury a pair of threes on two straight possessions as the Golden Eagles would take a 13 point lead midway through the half.
WSU would cut the lead to just four, but Spencer Swenson (Fr., F, Sauk Rapids, Minn.) would score three the old-fashioned way and the Golden Eagles would go up eight heading into the halftime break following a left wing three from Brady Westphal (Fr., G, Fargo, N.D.) right before the halftime buzzer.
Following the halftime break, Minnesota Crookston would extend their lead to 15 following buckets from Mukoma, Jr. and Lindsey.
Past the midway point of the second half, WSU would cut the lead to eight, but Minnesota Crookston would have an answer every time.
With 3:43 left in the game, WSU would cut the lead to 56-53, but Washington would come down and drain a left corner three to regain a six point advantage.
WSU would make it 59-55, but Mukoma, Jr. would throw up and bank in a three at the shot clock buzzer to essentially put the game away.
Minnesota Crookston would get stops and make enough free throws for the five point win.
Mukoma, Jr. would have a massive day, finishing with 23 points and buried five threes. Washington added 15 points, while Washington and Lindsey combined for 19 points.
Minnesota Crookston made four more threes than the Warriors and outrebounded WSU by five.
Minnesota Crookston will go for the weekend sweep tomorrow when they head to the state capital and take on Concordia-St. Paul. Tip-off is set for 2 PM.
