GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The University of North Dakota men's basketball team used a strong second-half performance to power past Minnesota, Crookston this evening at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Fighting Sioux won 76-61.

The Sioux trailed 29-27 at the half, but on the opening possession, Emmanuel Little scored two of his game-high 26 points to tie it. That basket started a 15-3 run that gave UND control.

Little proved to be the deciding player in the game. He shot 10-for-13 from the field and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, seven of which came in the second half.

The Golden Eagles did have a few opportunities in the second half, however they could not overcome the Sioux.

After UND's Derek Benter gave UND a 65-56 lead with 3:52 remaining, Crookston's Joe Paschka hit a free throw to pull the Eagles within eight points with 3:43 remaining in the game. Then Akeen Cubie hit a lay-up to pull the Eagles within 65-59 at the 3:34. That was as close as they would get.

Sophomore guard Travis Bledsoe, who ended with seven points off the bench, scored a lay-up and an ensuing free throw to extend UND's lead back to nine. Moreoever, the Golden Eagles missed a number of key free throws in the final few minutes. Overall, the Eagles shot 57.6 (19-of-23) from the free throw line.

Junior guard Darius Joseph ended with 14 points, while Benter and senior Ervin Youmans each scored nine.

The Fighting Sioux will play at 6 p.m. on Saturday in the championship game of the UND Thanksgiving Classic. The Sioux will face Western Oregon. Crookston will play Montevallo in the consolation game.

Game 1 - Western Oregon 80, Montevallo 73

Western Oregon's size proved too much for Montevallo in game one of the UND Thanksgiving Classic. The Wolves got 14 and 10 points, respectively from centers Liam Hughes and Adonal Arrington.

Montevallo had a 48-39  lead after DeAndre Miranda scored a jumper on the opening possession of the first half. However, Western Oregon slowly chipped away and tied it at 50 with 14:04 remaining.

The teams went back and forth until Dane Johnson's three-pointer put Western Oregon up for good. Johnson's score put it at 61-59. It was Johnson's first points of the game, and the Wolves rolled from there.

Brad Krichevsky led the way for Western Oregon, scoring 16 points. Travis Kuhns added 14 and Sam Kelly scored 10.

Anthony Brown led Montevallo with 16 points.