Bemidji, Minn. - The Crown College Polars opened their season at Oak Hills Christain College with a 71-69 victory. Anthony Knight delivered the game-winning shot with two seconds left to avoid overtime.

The first half was mostly controlled by the Polars, who pieced together a balanced attack to open an eight-point cushion. Anthony Knight paced Crown early, finishing the half with 9 points while the Polars took advantage on the offensive glass. Crown took a 40-32 lead into the break, but Oak Hills came out aggressive in the second half as they took the lead just six minutes into the half. It was back and forth from there as there were four lead changes and six ties in the second half alone. Crown would get clutch free throws from Joe Sullivan, and multiple clutch buckets from Anthony Knight down the stretch, capped off by a 14-foot game winner with two secons left. This would end the game at 71-69. 

Offensively, Knight finished with 19-points and 6 rebounds. Levi Royston also finished with 15 points, and Colby Deluce had 12. Tristan Youngblood was the only other Polar to hit double digits as he finished with 10 points. 11 of 14 from the free throw line as a team was also crucial in a two point victory. Tyler Smith had a huge day on the boards with 17, 8 of them coming on the offensive end. This helped Crown dominate second chance points 16-6. Joe Sullivan and Donovan Washington off the bench helped the Polars win bench points 12-3. 

The Polars have four more road games before their home opener. They will travel to Decorah, Iowa next Wednesday, November 12 to play Luther College at 7:00pm.  Read Full Article