CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston's women's basketball team won 76-57 over the Augustana University Vikings Saturday afternoon at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn. The Golden Eagles were one away from tying the school record for the most three pointers made in a game, as they made 13 in their win. The Golden Eagles improve to 6-3 (3-2 NSIC) with the win, as the Vikings falls to 8-2 (2-2 NSIC). UMC swept the weekend as they picked up victories over Augustana and Wayne State, two of the NSIC South's perennial contenders.
The win was the first for UMC over Augustana since defeating the Vikings 73-70 Dec. 17, 2011 in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The story of the weekend was balance for the Golden Eagles. UMC had four players score double-digits in Saturdays win. The Golden Eagles were led by
Katrina Nordick (Sr., F, Perham, Minn./Applied Studies) who recorded a double-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and a block. Nordick moved past former teammate and current Northern State University graduate assistant coach Brittany Wiese for fourth all-time in career scoring and now has 1,213 career points.
Emily Gruber (So., F/C, Monticello, Minn./Communications) added 18 points and was 4-of-5 beyond the arc.
Alison Hughes (Fr., G, Janesville, Wis./Early Childhood Education) also had a big night beyond the arc with five three pointers. Hughes would end the night with a total of 15 points and three rebounds.
Alexa Thielman (Sr., G, Buffalo, Minn./Health Science) recorded 15 points on the night. Thielman is closing in on the school record for three-pointers in a season. She needs just nine to surpass Amy Kuznia, who had 188 career threes from 2000-04.
The Golden Eagles sunk seven three-pointers to stay knotted up with the Vikings throughout the first half of the game, three of which came from Hughes. Gruber and Thielman also contributed two each. UMC would lead Augustana 39-35 at the half.
Another six three pointers in the second half of the game led the Golden Eagles to their 76-57 win. The Vikings 35.7 percent shooting from the field and 14.3 percent three point shooting was not enough to compete with the Golden Eagles in what was only their second loss of the season.
The Vikings were led by Nicole Kerkhoff who totaled 12 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block. Sydney Rome added 10 points and a rebound for the Vikings. Logan O'Farrell had a huge presence with seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, one steal, and a basket.
Minnesota Crookston will take on the Bemidji State University Beavers at 5 pm on Fri., Dec. 18th which will be their last game in 2015. The Golden Eagles will then resume their season on Jan. 2 as they take on the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at
www.goldeneaglesports.com.
Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.
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).
