When the lights got bright and the tension mounted, the University of Minnesota Duluth established itself one again as a team that doesn't crush under pressure. Tonight, showed exactly why the Bulldogs are 5-0 when either ahead or tied with the game hanging in the balance. UMD led 63-62 when the clock ticked under five minutes to play but the University of Minnesota Crookston jumped out to a 7-0 run to lead by six with just under three minutes.

That's when a gritty effort by sophomore guard Trevor Entwisle helped UMD surge past its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival on a 12-2 spurt in the closing 2:42 to beat Minnesota Crookston 75-71 Friday night at Romano Gymnasium.

The finale rally started with Entwisle moving around a screen to beat his defender to the rim and was fouled in the process, for the making of a three-point play. Then, Entwisle drew an illegal screen and the Bulldogs got it to within one after junior forward Sean Burns out muscled his interior defender for the rebound and scooped in the put back. The next Bulldog possession, Entwisle drilled a three-pointer from a pass by junior guard Mamadou Ngom to tie it at 71. 

Just when you thought it was enough, Entwisle picked up a steal and which later turned into a basket by sophomore guard Brandon Myer to take the lead. Entwisle's tensity and hustle on both ends rubbed off on his teammates as they hustled and jumped for loose ball opportunities especially in the closing moments. UMD corralled three offensive rebounds and the biggest one was by sophomore guard Logan Rohrscheib. Rohrscheib jackknifed his way in-between defenders and came away with the rebound, forcing a foul with 11 seconds and two free throws to deliver the final blow.

Entwisle finished with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals. The product of Neenah H.S. has at least three or more assists in the last eight games and has led his squad in that category the last seven contests.

The Bulldogs (5-8 overall, 2-6 NSIC) have won three of their last four including the last two at home. In games decided by five points or less, UMD is 4-1. Last year, it was 1-6 in such events.

The key was the hustle displayed by the Bulldogs. UMD won the rebounding battle 40-29 and had 18 offensive boards which led to a season high 19 second-chance points. Burns was unstoppable underneath as he scooped up six of those offensive rebounds.

The Golden Eagles (8-7 overall, 5-4 NSIC) got their production. Harrison Cleary and Alan Hodge had 30 and 21 points, respectively. However, unlike the last meeting, four other players for Minnesota Crookston combined for 20 points. Minnesota Crookston scored 98 points and had 14 three pointers in Crookston last month. This time, it was held to 27 fewer points and only 6-of-16 from long distance.

Myer led the team in scoring and rebounding for a sixth consecutive night. The Superior, Wis., native had 27 points and 12 rebounds, good for his third double-double of the year. Rohrscheib collected 17 points and was a perfect 5-for-5 at the charity stripe.

The Bulldogs will hope to make it a weekend sweep tomorrow night against Bemidji State University.  Tip off of the NSIC action will begin at 6:00 p.m.