Box Score Mike Roysland Post-Game Interview

CROOKSTON, Minn. - On Friday night, the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Golden Eagles fell to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foe University of Mary Marauders 72-65 at Lysaker Gymnasium. Quality free throw shooting was not on display for either team as they shot a combined 54.3 percent. Mary was able to win the game by shooting eight percentage points better from the field.

The Golden Eagles were led by Katrina Moenkedick (So., F, Perham, Minn./Sports and Rec Management). She highlighted the box score with 21 points and 12 rebounds on the night. This was her fourth double-double of the season. Erika McRoberts (So., F, Byron, Minn./Health Science) had her first scoring performances of the year chipping in 17 points. She will be disappointed that she could not convert her chances at the line. She went 3-10.

The combination of Ebony Livingston (Jr., G/F, Minneapolis, Minn./Sports and Rec Management), Alexa Thielman (So., G, Buffalo, Minn./Health Science) and Christine Thorn (So., G, St. Michael, Minn./Elementary Education) will look to move on quickly from this game as they went a combined 5-29 from the field. On a different day, the Golden Eagles may have mustered up enough firepower to claim the victory.

Linda Murray led the way for the Marauders with 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. She could not do much wrong on the offensive end. Lindsey Sand recovered from a rough start to add 13 points to go along with three steals. As a team, the Marauders had their struggles holding onto the ball. They committed 17 turnovers. The interior dominance was on display the entire night for Mary.

Livingston got a quick steal for an easy layup to start the game right for the Golden Eagles. Sand dug a quick hole for Mary after committing two fouls and having three turnovers.

Ashley Martell (So., G, Somerset, Wis./Health Science) continued her hot shooting by hitting a three to put the Golden Eagles up 8-4.

Murray's post play proved troublesome for UMC as she scored six points with two offensive rebounds early in the game. Taylor Henninsgard came off the bench to replace Sand and chipped in four quick points.

The Golden Eagles brought the score to 14-10 after Thorn made a three as the shot clock ran down with 13:17 left in the first half.

Sudan Saunders provided a spark for Mary with four points and three rebounds midway through the first half. Mary continued to focus on utilizing their size advantage inside as Sloan Turner scored twice to make the score 26-22. That score brought the combined total between Turner and Murray to 12.

The Marauders extended their lead to a game-high nine points with 5:17 left in the first half. Saunders made her presence known as soon as she was back on the court. She pinned her defender down low for the easy score.

Avery Jackson (So., G, Wadena, Minn./Early Childhood Education) put a stop to the run for the Golden Eagles as she got open on the right baseline for the easy jumper. This sparked a 6-0 run for UMC that got them back into the game.

Saunders impressive offensive skill set continued to show with a drive left where she spun to the baseline and converted a difficult shot in traffic.

A McRoberts three made the score 37-33 in favor of Mary going into the break.

The Golden Eagles were led in scoring by Moenkedick and McRoberts with eight points apiece during the first half. As a team, the Golden Eagles only shot 35.1 percent from the field in the first half. Good ball security was key to keeping the game close. Despite not scoring, Thielman contributed by assisting on three baskets and grabbing six rebounds.

Murray was the major force for the Marauders leading the way with 12 first half points on five of seven shooting. Saunders played a stellar first half of the bench for Mary scoring eight points and snagging seven rebounds. After a rough start, Sand recovered to put up five points and an assist with no turnovers after three in the first minute and a half.

Thielman finally broke her duck with a deep left wing three to draw the Golden Eagles within one. At the 15:17, UMC drew back even the Mary after a hesitation dribble by McRoberts broke down her defender, Murray, en route to an easy layup.

Thorn picked up her fourth foul with 12:29 left in the game restricting her to the bench for an extended period.

A three by Hannah Larson extended the Marauder lead to six.

Both teams entered the bonus at the 11 minute mark. Fouls continued to be an issue for both teams. Murray committed her fourth foul at 10:39. Without her presence, the Golden Eagles were able to handle the interior battle much easier.

Moenkedick continued her solid offensive performance with a reverse layup that brought the score to 57-56 in favor of Mary.

Free throw shooting hurt the Golden Eagles. They were 7-14 from the line through 12 minutes in the second half. McRoberts made up for two missed free throws by making a three on the next possession bringing the score to 61-60 Mary.

The Golden Eagles were not able to take advantage of Murray being on the bench still down one when she reentered with 5:41 left in the game.

Both offenses went cold at the 4:42 mark with neither team scoring for over 3 minutes. Brittney Dietz finally ended the drought with a very deep three to give Mary the lead 68-61 with a minute left.
McRoberts made a quick driving layup to pull within five.

Thorn fouled out with 41 seconds. Sand missed the front end of the one-and-one, but she intercepted the outlet pass as UMC tried to push the ball up the court. This time, after being fouled, she made both free throws.

After two more Sand free throws and a Thielman layup the buzzer went finalizing the Mary win at 72-65.
The Golden Eagles take on Minot State University tomorrow night at Lysaker Gymnasium. Tip-off is at 4 p.m.as UMC looks to give the Beavers of Minot their seventh loss of the season. The Golden Eagles will need to stop First Team All-NSIC performer Carly Boag. With a victory, the Golden Eagles can move to 9-13 on the year.

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).