BEMIDJI, Minn. –  The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team looked to Katrina Moenkedick's (Jr., F, Perham, Minn./Applied Studies) double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds as they defeated their rival down U.S. Highway 2, Bemidji State University 66-53.

The Golden Eagles struggled from the field overall, shooting just 22-of-62 for 35.5 percent and were just 5-=of-22 for 22.7 percent from beyond the arc, however the play of Moenkedick and Ebony Livingston (Sr., G/F, Minneapolis, Minn./Sports and Rec Management), who had 15 points and seven boards, would be enough to guide Minnesota Crookston to a 1-0 conference start. The Golden Eagles improve to 2-3 (1-0 NSIC), while Bemidji State falls to 2-3 (0-1 NSIC).

UMC and Bemidji State both grabbed 40 boards on the game.

Bemidji State was guided by Sierra Senske's 16 points and seven boards on 5-of-9 shooting from the field. Hanna Zerr added 10 points and five boards for the Beavers. Bemidji State was 20-of-61 from the field for 32.8 percent and connected on just 1-of-16 three-pointers for 6.3 percent.

The Beavers would start the game on a 5-0 run but the Golden Eagles would be able to knot up the game at 5-5 at the 16 minute mark led by a Livingston old-fashioned three-point play. UMC's Moenkedick would follow that up with an old-fashioned three-point play of her own as the Golden Eagles quickly turned the tables to lead 8-5 with 16:40 remaining after being down 5-0 early.

UMC and BSU would go toe-to-toe for the next few minutes trading baskets. The Golden Eagles would finally get some distance between them and their foes led by an Ashley Martell (Sr., G, Somerset, Wis./Health Science) three and two Livingston jumpers to give UMC the 24-18 advantage with 6:49 remaining. An Emily Gruber lay-in would extend the Golden Eagle advantage to 26-18 with 5:30 remaining in the half. UMC would finish the first half out-scoring the Beavers 17-8 to lead 33-26 at the break.

The Golden Eagles were led at the half by Moenkedick, who had a first-half double-double with 12 points and 10- rebounds, including four offensive rebounds. Moenkedick was 6-of-8 from the charity stripe. Livingston also had a strong opening period with 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field. The Golden Eagles were 10-of-29 from the field for 34.5 percent and were 2-of-7 for 28.6 percent from beyond the arc. UMC out-rebounded Bemidji State 21-19 in the opening period.

Bemidji State looked to Zerr with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting. Allie Knuti came off  the bench for five points. The Beavers were 10-of-28 from the field for 36.7 percent. They struggled from beyond the arc and were just 1-of-6 for 16.7 percent.

The Beavers would stay within striking distance to open the second half and would be able to cut the UMC lead to three points at 47-44 with 8:38 remaining in the game on a Senske old-fashioned three-point play.   BSU would come even closer as Aimee Pelzer drained 1-of-2 free throws to cut the lead to two.

Bemidji State would have chances to tie the game up or take the lead, however they missed their chances, and Moenkedick would drain a free-throw line jumper to get the advantage back out to four with 7:16 left in the game. Moenkedick's jumper would change the tide of the second half, as it started out an 8-0 run as the Golden Eagles would find themselves up 55-45 with 5:17 remaining.

UMC would build off that momentum and would come out of BSU Gymnasium with a 66-53 win over Bemidji State.

The Golden Eagles will open up their home NSIC sltate next weekend as they take on University of Minnesota Duluth Dec. 5 and St. Cloud State University Dec. 6.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website 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).