Box Score CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagles snapped a seven-game losing streak Friday night, defeating the University of Sioux Falls Cougars by a score of 76-59 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles came out on top after a dominant beginning to the second half in which they shot 50 percent from the field. The win is the first for UMC since defeating Northern State on Jan. 5. The Golden Eagles improve to 6-13 (3-12 NSIC) on the season while the Cougars fall to 10-9 (7-8 NSIC).
 
Brittani Wiese (Sr., G, Albertville, Minn) led the Golden Eagles in scoring with 18 points, as well as in rebounding with nine boards in the game. Katrina Moenkedick (Fr, F, Perham, Minn) and Jaya Perkins (R-Fr., G, Lakeville, Minn) also added eight rebounds each as UMC out-rebounded USF 47-34, bringing the Golden Eagle's record to 5-1 when they win the rebound battle. Ashley Martell (So., G, Somerset, Wis) added 12 points to help add to the 52 scored by the UMC starters.
 
The first half was back-and-forth throughout with four lead changes as well as four ties, as well as neither team leading by more than five points at any time. Wiese started the scoring with a 3-pointer as the Golden Eagles broke out of their shooting slump from beyond the arc, shooting 42.1%. Moenkedick scored nine of her 13 points in the opening half. The Cougars starters had trouble finding the mark in the first half, shooting only 21% from the field. However the USF bench held the Cougars in the game with 20 points. UMC was able to build some momentum before halftime, going on a 9-0 run over the last 3:19 of the half to take a 33-29 lead into the locker room.
 
The Golden Eagles started the second half on fire, going on a 24-6 run over the first nine minutes, bringing the score to 56-35. Alexa Thielman (Fr., G, Buffalo, Minn) made her first three shots of the half, two of them from beyond the arc. The run was capped off when Perkins' recorded her second steal and was fouled while converting the layup for a three-point play. Perkins recorded four steals in her return to the lineup, a new season high for the Golden Eagles. UMC shot 87.5% (14-16) from the charity stripe.
 
The Golden Eagle's offense stayed consistent and used offensive rebounds to keep the game out of reach the rest of the way. The Cougars would get as close 12 with 3:20 remaining, however UMC would end the half on a 7-2 run to bring the final score to 76-59. 
 
USF was led by Jaicee Ulmer with 11 points off the bench. Laura Johnson added eight points and four rebounds for the Cougars. Mikenna Greathouse added 10 points off the bench as the Cougars' reserves would finish with 33 points.
 
Friday the Golden Eagles held their annual fundraiser for the Crookston Pirates Special Olympics basketball team. The Pirates took on several UMC student-athletes and staff, keeping their undefeated record against UMC alive.
The Golden Eagles return to action Saturday, Feb.2 to take on Southwest Minnesota State University at Lysaker Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. with the UMC men's basketball team scheduled to tip-off at 6.
 
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site 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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