CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team will play host to Wayne State College (Neb.), Fri., Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles will then take on the Augustana University Vikings Sat., Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. UMC enters the weekend with 4-3 mark, while Wayne State is 5-3 and Augustana is 7-1.

Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Mike Roysland
Record at UMC: 83-166 Season at UMC: 10th Season

Wayne State Wildcats
Head Coach: Chris Kielsmeier
Record at WSC: 177-49 Season at WSC: Eighth Season

Augustana Vikings
Head Coach: Dave Krauth
Record at AUGIE: 527-239 Season at AUGIE: 27th Season

Dec. 11 • Crookston, Minn. • Lysaker Gymnasium • 6 p.m.
Wayne State at Minnesota Crookston
Video: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/wbball/

Augustana at Minnesota Crookston
Dec. 12 • Crookston, Minn. • Lysaker Gymnasium • 4 p.m.
Video: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/wbball/
Radio: 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM (Chris Fee, Play by Play)
Online Radio: www.kroxam.com

#5StoryLines
1. What kind of production can UMC get off of their bench?

2. Can UMC's posts help control the strong play inside from Wayne State, led by Paige Ballinger?

3. Can the Golden Eagles shoot the ball well, led by Alexa Thielman and Alison Hughes?

4. Can the Golden Eagles make the big plays down the stretch to win this weekend's games?

5. What will senior leaders Katrina Nordick and Alexa Thielman be able to do this weekend for the Golden Eagles?


#Tidbits

- The UMC women's basketball team is 4-3 on the season, coming off two close losses on the road to University of Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State University. The Golden Eagles fell by a combined nine points on the
weekend as they had their opportunities in both games. UMC will look to rebound against Wayne State and
Augustana.

- A big key for the Golden Eagles this season is going to be bench production. UMC averaged just 17.4 points from their bench last season and that is including Isieoma Odor, who just played six games and averaged 5.8 points per game. The Golden Eagles are currently averaging 16.7 points per game from their bench. The trio of Caitlin Michaelis, Isieoma Odor and Megan Taylor will be crucial to the success of the Golden Eagles. Odor comes in
averaging 5.0 points per game, while Michaelis is averaging 4.9 points and Taylor is averaging 3.7 points per game.

- Watch out for Katrina Nordick this season as she is approaching several records for the Golden Eagles. Nordick is currently ranked fifth all-time in scoring with 1,169 points. She is currently approaching fourth-ranked Brittani Wiese who is at 1,204 points, meaning she needs 36 points to overtake Wiese. The school record is 1,724 from Jamie Zelinsky. Nordick is 136 rebounds from Laurie Tyson's rebound record and 113 field goals from Jessice Forsline's record. Alexa Thielman is close behind in scoring for UMC with 1,113 points.

All-Time Scoring List
1. Jamie Zelinsky 1,724
2. Karna Plaine 1,642
3. Kari Score 1,243
4. Brittani Wiese 1,204
5. Katrina (Moenkedick) Nordick 1,169
6. Alexa Thielman 1,113
7. Steph Mayclin 1,089
8. Cathy Behr 1,060
9. Jess Forsline 1,040
10. Bri Zabel 1,013

- Wayne State is currently 5-3 on the season. The Wildcats are a little different team from last season's squad that went 28-6 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Most notably missing are Jordan Spencer and Ashton Yossi. The Wildcats do return two starters from that team with Sadie Murren and Maggie Schulte. The biggest improvement has been seen from post Paige Ballinger, who was a reserve last season, and is now averaging 18.1 points and 7.4 rebounds. Schulte is aeraging 13.8 points and 6.4 rebounds. Eastern Michigan transfer Haley Moore returned to her home state and is averaging 7.5 points per game, while Nebraska transfer Murren continues to be a staple, averaging 7.0 points per game and 4.9 assists per game.

- Augustana comes in with a 7-1 mark overall on the season. The Vikings return four starters from last season's team but are missing point guard Shaunteva Ashley, who is now a graduate assistant. Their key returnees are Nicole Kerkhoff, Logan O'Farrell and Sophie Kenney. O'Farrell is leading the Vikings with 12.5 points per game, as they have been very balanced this season. Kerkhoff is averaging 11.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while Kenney is averaging 11.5 points per game. The Vikings are out-scoring their oppoents 80.0 to 63.1, while shooting 39.3 percent from the field and 30.0 percent from beyond the arc.