Box Score Highlights

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears raced out to an early 16-4 lead against the University of Minnesota, Crookston women's basketball team Friday night and didn't look back as the Golden Eagles fell 69-44. Concordia came into the game as the NSIC's top team overall with a 16-5 (14-3 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles fall to 7-14 (4-13 NSIC) with Friday's loss.

The Golden Eagle starting line-up was held in check Friday night by the Golden Bear defense as the UMC starters scored only 23 points on the game. This included reigning NSIC Player of the Week Brittani Wiese (Sr., G, Albertville, Minn.), who was held to only four points while second-leading scorer Katrina Moenkedick (Fr., F, Perham, Minn.), who was averaging nearly 10 points per game coming into Friday, was held scoreless Friday.

The Golden Eagle did get production from their bench as Christine Thorn (Fr., G, St. Michael, Minn.) scored her career high with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc. Fellow freshman Erika McRoberts (F/C, Byron, Minn.) also added nine points. Starting guard Ashley Martell (So., Somerset, Wis.) added eight points while Jaya Perkins (R-Fr., G, Lakeville, Minn.) had a productive night with seven points and seven rebounds. UMC finished the night shooting 19-of-61 for 31.1 percent and 5-of-17 from three-point range for 29.4 percent. Concordia-St. Paul out-rebounded the Golden Eagles 50-35 on the night.

The Golden Bears were paced by Anika Whiting's double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Point guard Rachel Hansen chipped in 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists while Amanda Barton came off the bench for 13 points. Concordia was 22-of-60 for 36.7 percent and 7-of-22 from three for 31.8 percent.

After Concordia-St. Paul got out to a 16-4 lead and was able to extend it to a 26-11 advantage after a Barton trifecta at the 9:45 mark in the first half. UMC was able to cut into the Golden Bears' lead after back-to-back threes from McRoberts and Thorn made it 29-21 with 1:32 left in the half. A jumper by Barton shortly before the conclusion of the half gave Concordia-St. Paul a 31-21 lead heading into the half.

The Golden Bears came out of the break and were able to quickly extend their lead out to 18 points after a Hansen trey at the 15:21 mark in the second half to make it 43-25. A three from Perkins and a jumper from Martell cut into the lead to make it 48-34 with 10:29 remaining in the half. The Golden Eagles were able to stay in the fray for the next couple of minutes until an 8-0 run by Concordia-St. Paul led by four points from Jasmine Haynes put the Golden Bears up 60-38 with 6:05 left in the second.

Following a three from Thorn, UMC was able to get back within 18 at 61-43 with 4:00 left but Concordia-St. Paul closed out the game with an 8-1 run to pick up a 69-44 win over the Golden Bears.

The Golden Eagles will continue their road trek as they face Minnesota State University, Mankato at 4 p.m. at the Taylor Center in Mankato.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics Web site at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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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).