Northern Michigan University’s Brian Parzych, left, shoots a free throw against Minnesota-Crookston on Thursday night at the Berry Events Center. (Journal photo by Alexandria Bournonville)

MARQUETTE — Northern Michigan University pulled off a big comeback to keep its men’s basketball record perfect this season at 3-0 following a 97-81 home victory over Minnesota-Crookston on Thursday night at the Berry Events Center.

With possibly a smaller crowd than usual as Thanksgiving break approaches for students, the Golden Eagles jumped out to a big lead in the first half.

But behind the scoring efforts of Max Bjorklund and Brian Parzych, the Wildcats poured in 59 second-half points to win going away.

Bjorklund and Parzych each finished with 30 points by making multiple 3-pointers. Parzych was 6 of 9 from beyond the arc, while Bjorklund hit on 4 of 6 triples.

Teammate Dylan Kuehl added 15 points, along with five rebounds and four assists and two steals. Parzych had a team-high three steals to go with four assists.

Crookston was paced by Dezmond Washington with 20 points and nine rebounds, while teammate Xzavier Jones added 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

The game was close with several ties and lead changes in the first 10 minutes before the Eagles went on a 21-3 run over just five minutes to take a 38-20 lead.

NMU’s only points in that stretch were a layup and free throw about 30 seconds apart by Parzych.

But the Wildcats answered nearly as quickly, using the last five minutes of the opening half to whittle their deficit back to just five, 43-38, at halftime.

In Northern’s late first-half 18-point string, Bjorklund scored seven points, Parzych five and Kuehl four.

NMU used that momentum to quickly tie the game 43-43 just 51 seconds into the second half on a fastbreak dunk by Kuehl.

But Crookston held off the Wildcats for awhile as Northern didn’t get its first lead until Bjorklund sank a 3 with 14:25 left to make it 57-56.

NMU didn’t take the lead for good until Carson Smith hit another trey about 3 1/2 minutes later to make it 66-65, but then it was off to the races for the Wildcats.

Northern outscored Crookston 34-16 in the last 11 minutes to win going away. NMU’s biggest lead was 95-78 after a Parzych free throw with 1:37 left.

After the Wildcats faced Concordia-St. Paul at home on Friday night, NMU has three road games in the next week before starting into GLIAC play.

Northern plays at former league member Hillsdale at 1 p.m. Sunday, then goes to Minnesota to face St. Cloud State at 2 p.m. EST next Saturday and Minnesota-Duluth at 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 27.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.