Crookston, Minn. -- J.D. Roberts (Jr., F, Parkville, Mo.) scored seven straight points down the stretch, turning a 69-67 deficit into a thrilling 72-69 win for Minnesota Crookston over Minot State on Thursday night.
It's the second straight win for Minnesota Crookston over Minot State in Crookston and the win improves the Golden Eagles to 5-20 on the season.
The Golden Eagles got off to a great start, as Spencer Swenson (Fr., F, Sauk Rapids, Minn.) would finish a layup for a quick 2-0 lead. It would be the start of another massive night for Swenson.
Minnesota Crookston would score the next five points, highlighted by a three from Brady Westphal (Fr., G, West Fargo, N.D.).
Later in the first half, Alijah Washington (R-Jr., G, San Jose, Calif.) would bury a jumper to give the Golden Eagles a 13-8 lead.
MSU would take a 18-15 lead, but GD Deng (Sr., G, Des Moines, Iowa) would bury a right wing three to knot things up at 18. Deng would finish with a career high seven points.
Past the midway point of the half, MSU would take a seven point lead, but once again, the Golden Eagles would answer with a Caiden Swenby (So., G, Fertile, Minn.) layup.
Kazadi Mukoma, Jr. (Jr., F, Grand Island, Neb.) would bury back-to-back threes to give the Golden Eagles a two point advantage heading into the halftime break.
Minnesota Crookston would get off to a good start in the second half, but would see MSU take a three point lead at 41-38, but Owen Chervestad (Fr., G, Oklee, Minn.) would splash home a three to tie things up at 41.
The game would be nip-and-tuck throughout the second half, but Minot State would start to pull away and take a 58-50 lead.
The resilient Golden Eagles would say not so fast, my friend.
Swenson and Swenby would finish a pair of layups and the Golden Eagles would eventually take a one point lead at 61-60 on a pair of Swenson free throws.
The Beavers would take a 67-63 lead, but that's when Roberts put the entirety of the Golden Eagles on his back, including a massive shot in the paint to give the Golden Eagles a 72-69 lead late.
Minnesota Crookston would get misses from Minot State down the stretch, as they would get an exhilarating three point win on Thursday.
Swenson was fantastic yet again, finishing with 25 points and six rebounds. It's his fourth straight 20 point game as a freshman. Mukoma, Jr., finished with nine massive points, while Washington added eight off the bench. Roberts, Deng and Chervestad each poured in seven points apiece. Swenby scored four.
The Golden Eagles made five more shots from long range than the Beavers.
The Golden Eagles will look for a sweep on the weekend on Saturday, as they welcome in UMary for a 3:30 PM tip-off as part of Senior Day.
