CROOKSTON, Minn. – 32 points from Alexa Thielman (Jr., G, Buffalo, Minn., Health Science) led the University of Minnesota Crookston to a thrilling 75-70 overtime victory over Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Golden Eagles improve their record to 8-8 (7-5 NSIC) while the Mavericks fall to 11-5 (8-3 NSIC).

Minnesota Crookston was led on the night by a stellar performance by Alexa Thielman who scored 32 points, 27 in the 2nd half and overtime. Also contributing for the Golden Eagles was Katrina Moenkedick (Jr. F, Perham, Minn., Applied Studies) with 15 points and six rebounds. Despite coming off the floor with an injury temporarily, Ebony Livingston (Sr. G/F, Minneapolis, Minn., Sports and Rec Management) still provided Minnesota Crookston with 10 points and six rebounds. Emily Gruber scored siz points on the night along with four rebounds. Gruber fouled out of the game at the 3:43 mark.

The Golden Eagles were 23-of-62 for 37.1 percent from the field and 6-of-11 for 54.5 percent from beyond the arc. They were able to close the game late with free throw shooting going 23-of-28 for 82.1 percent on the night from the line however, lost the rebound battle 50-45.

Minnesota State shot 26-of-77 for 33.8 percent from the field and was led by Aubrey Davis who scored 23 points for the Mavericks along with 10 rebounds and six assists. Ashley Olson contributed a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Also scoring double digits for the Mavericks was Sammie Delzotto with 14 points. Lexie Ulfers scored nine points alongside 10 rebounds.

The Golden Eagles were down by five at the halfway point of the game. It was here that the game really became exciting. The Mavericks came out of the half rolling and went on a 16-6 run to start the half.

The Golden Eagles began chipping away at the lead around the 12 minute-mark. Sparked by Thielman scoring 11 of the next 13 points, UMC would bring the deficit down to two with four and half minutes remaining in the game. Clutch free throw shooting down the stretch allowed the Golden Eagles to tie the game up with 1:17 left in the game. With nobody being able to score in the final minute, the game went to overtime tied 62-62.

Moenkedick  scored five in the extra minutes along with another six from Thielman. A Thielman layup with 21 seconds left in the game gave the Golden Eagles a four point lead along with a late free throw along with a late free throw from Maria Loughlin (Jr. G, Rogers, Minn., Health Management) which turned out to be too much for the Mavericks.

Thielman has been playing great basketball of late for the Golden Eagles. The junior, who came two points shy of tying Jessica Forsline's school record for single-game scoring, is averaging 22.2 points per game while scoring 20 or more points in five of the last six games. Thielman has improved her scoring average to 17.3 points per game.

UMC travels next weekend with games against Minnesota State University Moorehead and Northern State. The Golden Eagles are now 5-1 in 2015 and look to continue their success on the road facing two teams in the top three of the NSIC North division.

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).