SIOUX FALLS – With a stellar defensive effort and double figure scoring from four players, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (11-6, 7-5 NSIC) picked up a 68-56 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference win over North Division foe Minnesota Crookston (8-10, 5-7 NSIC) on Friday night on Ron Eiesland Court at the Stewart Center.

After struggling on offense and hold a precarious 25-23 halftime lead, USF put the clamps on defense and outscored UMC, 43-33, in the second half for the victory. With the victory, USF improved to 7-2 all-time against UMC and avenged a 79-74 nonconference loss on Nov. 18 at Crookston, Minn. The win also enabled the Cougars to remain in a third place tie in the NSIC South standings with Winona State (12-6) at 7-5.

USF freshman guard Drew Maschoff tied a career-high with 15 points, including 3-of-5 from three point range, while dishing out four assists and pulling down three rebounds in 36 minutes of action. Junior guard Aaron Rothermund, who was making his second career start, had a career-high 13 points, including a three-pointer and converted all four of his foul shots. Junior Trevon Evans supplied 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, career-high three blocked shots and four steals in 35 minutes. Junior forward Drew Guebert, the reigning NSIC South Division Player of the Week, reached double digits in points for the 55th time in his career with 12 points, including two three-pointers, along with six rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. Guebert now has 1,164 career points, 23rd all-time at USF, and 176 career threes, fifth all-time.

"When you are struggling offensively, it is time to get down and play defense and we did that tonight against a very talented offensive team in Minnesota Crookston," said USF head men's basketball coach Chris Johnson, who recorded his 100th career home win at USF. "I was really pleased with our effort. We rebounded, guarded, and made free throws. It was nice to get back on track," he said.

As for the defense, USF registered seven steals, had three blocked shots, including three by Evans, and won the rebound battle, 42-33. Redshirt freshman Teathloach Pal scored just two points but had a career-high 13 rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal in providing some strong inside defense for USF. In addition, the Cougars held UMC to 40 percent from the field on 24-of-60 shooting. The Cougars limited the league's leading scorer Harrison Cleary to nine points and seven rebounds. UMC, which was led in scoring by Alan Hodge with 23 points, was just 4-of-16 from three points range.

USF didn't fare much better offensively as they made 26-of-63 field goals for 41.3 percent. They were 7-of-22 from three point range and held a 9-to-4 advantage at the foul stripe.
 The Cougars played outstanding team defense, noted Johnson, but also shared the wealth offensively with 15 assists.

"The guys really shared the ball and helped each other on both ends," said Johnson. "And, that combination translate to winning basketball."

Game Breakdown –
In a low scoring first half, USF received 10 points from Maschoff to take the 25-23 lead at the break. Both teams struggled shooting as USF shot 33 percent (11-of-33) and UMC was at 37 percent (10-of-27). And neither team could create any separation. USF had as high as a three-point lead in a half with eight tie scores and just two lead changes.

Evans had four points in the first four minutes to give USF a 7-5 lead at the 16:39 mark of the first half. After the teams played to three ties, Maschoff's three at the 8:59 mark provided the Cougars with a 14-11 advantage. Once again, UMC rallied to tie the game and Maschoff hit one of his timely three-point daggers on the night.  His shot from downtown gave USF a 19-16 edge (4:45). With 2:03 to play, UMC received a three from Hodge to tie the game at 23. Just before halftime (1:04), Guebert was able to slide inside for a lay-up for a 25-23 lead.

Early in the second half, USF gained a little control in the back and forth game.  Rothermund and Guebert both connected from three-point range for a 31-25 lead – the biggest of the game to that point - with 17 minutes to play. USF was able to hold a lead from 3-6 points until Evans' jumper at the 12:17 mark pushed USF's lead to 44-36. But UMC would have the answer as Hodge scored seven points over the next three minutes to pull the Golden Eagles within 48-47 (6:57).

Then, Maschoff came up big again, knocking down three at the 6:30 mark. It was the start of an 8-2 run which gave USF a 57-49 advantage with 3:14 to play. After that, UMC closed to 59-53 after another Hodge basket but could draw no closer. Two foul shots by USF forward Austin Slater, who had nine points and three rebounds, and break-away scores from Rothermund and Evans (dunk) pushed the lead to 13 (68-55) with 14 seconds to play.

Next for USF will be NSIC games at South Division leader Minnesota State on Jan. 19 and Concordia St. Paul on Saturday, Jan. 20.