Box Score To view the post-game interview with Head Coach Mike Roysland visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kVrFioI9zM

CROOKSTON, Minn. - Free throws and turnovers were the difference maker at Lysaker Gymnasium as the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Golden Eagles fell 85-70 to the St. Cloud State University (SCSU) Huskies. Despite rediscovering their three point stroke, the Golden Eagles could not capitalize on their first half lead, after struggling in that facet Friday night against University of Minnesota Duluth. The Golden Eagles fall to 4-3 (1-2 NSIC) while the Huskies improve to 6-1 (2-1 NSIC).

Alexa Thielman (So., G, Buffalo, Minn./Health Science) contributed the most offensively for UMC. She scored 22 points on 6-9 shooting from deep. Christine Thorn (So., G, St. Michael, Minn./Early Childhood Education) had a solid day off the bench chipping in eight points and getting two steals. Turnovers were the major issue for UMC. They lost the turnover battle 17-10 and SCSU scored 17 points off those turnovers.

Free throws were the answer for the number one free throw shooting team in the Northern Sun. Sam Price led the way at the line for the Huskies going 10-of-11. Price finished with 20 points. As a team SCSU made 18- of-20 from the line. Jessica Benson overcame a slow first half to finish the game with 12 points, 14 rebounds, and six steals. Rachael Moen was another bright spot for SCSU as she scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting.

In the first half, the Golden Eagles rediscovered the three point stroke after it went missing for a game. Thielman had four threes and Ashley Martell (Jr., G, Somerset, Wis./Health Science) had three. As a team the Golden Eagles went 8-of-14 from three. Unlike in their previous game, the Golden Eagles out-rebounded SCSU 22-16. This aided in overcoming the significant turnover deficit UMC had.

Moen led the way for SCSU with 11 points in the first half. Benson, who came into the game averaging a double-double was held relatively quiet in the first half with four points and four rebounds. The Huskies kept much better control of the ball in the first half with only six turnovers.

In the second half, Thorn stepped up for the Golden Eagles with six points and added a different level of intensity to the court. Jaya Perkins (So., G, Lakeville, Minn./Criminal Justice) also played significant minutes off the bench for UMC scoring six second half points.

SCSU rebounded the ball better in the second half highlighted by Benson's 10 second half rebounds. Price upped her game in the second half. After only getting to the line twice in the first half, she got to the line nine times in the second en route to 17 points.

UMC got the game started off right with a fast break layup by Erika McRoberts (So., F, Byron, Minn./Health Science) setup by a phenomenal pocket pass by Katrina Moenkedick (So., F, Perham, Minn./Early Childhood Education).

In the first five minutes of the game, they made more three-pointers (3) than the entire game against UMD (2). UMC continued to push the ball up the court throughout the first half. It was not without some consequence, though. Turnovers were an issue in the first half for the Golden Eagles.

UMC got their largest lead of the first half (12) after two consecutive three-pointers by Martell as the SCSU defense broke down.

Improved ball control by the Golden Eagles aided in extending their lead. After having nine turnovers in the first 10 minutes of the game, they only had four for the rest of the half.

Back-to-back three point plays by Moen and a two-pointer by Price cut the Golden Eagle lead down to one late in the first half. Thielman put a stop to this run with a transition three, her third of the first half.

SCSU took the lead on a Lexy Petermann three with 25 seconds for the first time since the 18 minute mark in the first half. Thielman would again answer for the Golden Eagles to send them into the half with a 35-33 lead.
SCSU came out firing in the second half. They scored 11 quick points coming out of the intermission to put the pressure back on the Golden Eagles.

UMC could not buy a stop up until the first media timeout of the second half. Again, Thielman stepped up for the Golden Eagles. She hit a corner three followed by a transition layup assisted by a nifty bounce pass from Thorn following the stoppage. Thorn continued to provide for the Golden Eagles with a big steal and layup to pull back within two.

After getting the offense going again, the Golden Eagles could not get that big stop to retake the lead, but they were matching SCSU shot for shot.

It was not until Sam Price was fouled on a three point attempt that SCSU pulled away. She hit all three free throws to make the score 73-62.

After SCSU extended its lead to 14 Ebony Livingston (Jr., G, Minneapolis, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) and Thielman hit back to back threes for the Golden Eagles. Defensive stops were not coming for the Golden Eagles and Price responded with a three of her own to shift the momentum back in SCSU's favor.

That would seal the fate for the Golden Eagles as SCSU scored nine straight to put UMC away. Two late free throws by Martell were a consolation making the final 85-70.

The Golden Eagles will go on the road next weekend to play Northern State and Minnesota State Moorhead for their first NSIC road tests of the season, and their first road games overall of the 2013-14 season as they opened up the season with seven-straight home games.

 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).