CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston's women's basketball team won 80-64 over the Wayne State College Wildcats Friday night at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn.  A balanced team effort helped the Golden Eagles hold the lead over the Wildcats from the 4:37 mark in the second quarter to the end of the game. UMC shot 49.2 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from beyond the arc. The Golden Eagles improve to 5-3 (2-2 NSIC) with the win, as Wayne State College falls to 5-4 (2-2 NSIC). The win came over a Wayne State team that is just one year removed from winning the NSIC South Championship and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Regional.

The Golden Eagles were led by Katrina Nordick (Sr., F, Perham, Minn./Applied Studies) who ended the game with 24 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Alexa Thielman (Sr., G, Buffalo, Minn./Health Science) was not far behind with 23 points and five assists, shooting six for nine from beyond the arc. Thielman is just 12 three-pointers away from breaking the school mark set by Amy Kuznia for three-pointers in a career.

Micaela Noga (So., G, Parkers Prairie, Minn./Health Management) added 12 points and seven rebounds. Emily Gruber (So., F/C, Monticello, Minn./Communications) Alison Hughes (Fr., G, Janesville, Wis./Early Childhood Education), and Isieoma Odor (R-Fr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn./Health Management) each had seven points, with Odor also recording an impressive 11 rebounds, putting forth one of her best efforts of her young career.

The Wildcats had a dominant start as a couple early three pointers led them to a quick 8-2 lead over the Golden Eagles just three minutes into the game. The Golden Eagles came to life after a time out by head coach Mike Roysland and trailed the Wildcats 18-19 at the end of the first quarter.

After three lead changes in the second quarter, UMC came out with a 42-36 lead over the Wayne State College Wildcats at the half. Several Golden Eagles showed strong first half performances including Nordick who scored 18 points and Thielman who added another 13 points and was 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.

UMC led Wayne State College by 14 points after the third quarter and continued to dominate throughout the end of the game where they would end up winning 80-64.

The Wayne State College Wildcats were led by Paige Ballinger who had 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Kacie O'Connor added 10 points and two rebounds. Both Andrea Larson and Haley Moore added another 9 points for the Wildcats. Wayne State College's 38.3 percent shooting from the field and 23.8 percent from the three point line wasn't enough to pull out the win against UMC, as they now pick up their fourth loss of the season.

The Golden Eagles will host Augustana University Sat., Dec. 12 at 4 p.m.

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).