Forward Brian Sykora scored 14 points to lead three Minnesota Duluth players in double figures as the Bulldogs routed Minnesota-Crookston 65-39 in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's basketball game on Friday night before 760 spectators at Romano Gym.
"I sent a message to our team that four times we've had substantial leads in the second half of games this season and have lost," Bulldogs coach Gary Holquist said. "Crookston cut into the lead in the second half, but then we shut them down."
Center John Vaudreuil had 12 points and Steve Klass added 11 for UMD (16-10 overall, 10-6 NSIC), which forced 14 steals and held the Golden Eagles (4-19, 2-14) to 39 percent shooting. The Bulldogs hope to win out to have a shot at an NCAA Division II tournament berth.
"One down, four to go and then we see what happens," Holquist said.
ST. SCHOLASTICA 85,CROWN COLLEGE 43
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Danny Schmitz had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Saints to their sixth straight victory in an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference game in St. Bonifacius, Minn.
Jesse Taylor (16 points), Troy Miller (13) and Bryan Johnson (13) were also in double figures for St. Scholastica (12-10, 8-3).
Jacob Jarvis had 16 points for winless Crown (0-21, 0-11).
MINNESOTA DULUTH 79,MINNESOTA-CROOKSTON 59
Jheri Booker had 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs to the NSIC win before 436 fans at Romano Gym.
Jordanne Even added a career-high 16 points and Kelsey Hewitt chipped in with 12 points and 10 rebounds for UMD (13-10, 10-6), which has won seven of its last nine and faces Minnesota State-Moorhead at 6 p.m. today at Romano in a key conference clash.
Bri Zabel had 18 points and seven rebounds to pace Crookston (9-14, 5-11).
-- St. Scholastica beat Crown College 76-43 to improve 8-14 overall and 5-6 in the UMAC.
