Box Score (Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Basketball team returned to the court this evening after a two week semester break layoff. Both teams shot just 30% from the field in the first half but it was Southwest Minnesota State University who shot 45% in the second half to help in the 69-56 Mustang victory.
 
The Golden Eagles were led this evening by Brittani Wiese (G, 5-7, Jr., Albertville, Minn.), Ashley Martell (G, 5-8, Fr., Somerset, Wis.), and Cienna Walker (G, 5-10, Fr., Ajax, Ontario) who all scored double-digits in points. Wiese tallied a team-high 16 points. She was 6-14 from the field, 2-6 from long range and 2-4 from the free-throw line. Walker finished with a career-high 11 points and six rebounds while Martel finished with 10 points. Lauren Kessler (C, 6-1, Jr., Albertville, Minn.) earned a game-high two blocks in the contest. UMC as a team combined for 17 points off of SMSU turnovers in the contest.

Southwest Minnesota State was led by Hannah Beeler who tallied a game-high 17 points. She was 6-10 from the field, 1-2 from beyond the arc and 4-4 from the line. She also played strong defensively grabbing a game-high nine rebounds. Abby Kenealy followed Beeler with 16 points while Bree Holleman dished a game-high four assists.
 
Minnesota, Crookston falls to 6-4 on the season and 3-3 in conference play.  Southwest Minnesota State advances to 4-7 on the season and 3-4 in the NSIC.  The Golden Eagles return to the court on Tuesday, January 3 to resume conference play.  UMC hosts Minnesota State University, Mankato at 6 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at: www.goldeneaglesports.com.   
 
Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.
 
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
 
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