DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball program made a second-half comeback but would fall 71-65 to University of Minnesota Duluth Fri., Dec. 4 at Romano Gymnasium in Duluth. The Golden Eagles fell behind 28-19 in the second quarter, they would cut the deficit to 31-27 at the break and would have the game tied 63-63 after an Alexa Thielman (Sr., G, Buffalo, Minn.) three with 1:51 remaining, but the Bulldogs would be able to hit crucial shots down the stretch to take the win.

The Golden Eagles fall to 4-2 (1-1 NSIC) with the loss Friday. The Bulldogs improved to 1-4 (1-1 NSIC), giving first-year head coach Mandy Pearson, her first win as the UMD coach.

Minnesota Crookston was led by their pair of 2014-15 All-NSIC First Team picks in Thielman and Katrina Nordick (Sr., F, Perham, Minn.). Both players had 17 points. Nordick was 6-of-16 from the field with two rebounds on the game. Thielman was 5-of-14 and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc with three rebounds.

In addition to Thielman and Nordick, Micaela Noga (So., G, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) added 10 points and eight boards and was 6-of-8 from the charity stripe. Caitlin Michaelis (Fr., G, Marshfield, Wis.) added nine points, while Emily Gruber (So., F/C, Monticello, Minn.) chipped in 12 rebounds.

The Golden Eagles were 21-of-63 from the field for 33.3 percent and were 9-of-19 for 47.4 percent from beyond the arc. UMC however struggled at the charity stripe, only connecting on 14-of-22 for 63.6 percent.

UMC out-rebounded the Bulldogs 45-37.

The Bulldogs were led by a balanced effort. Allyson Harris led the way with 12 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field, while Taylor Dillinger also added 12. Allison Olley and Samantha Kozlowski each added nine, while Kenzie Kane, Ayo Porte and Emma Boehm had eight.

UMD was 26-of-70 for 37.1 percent from the field. They were unable to do much from beyond the arc, connecting on just 1-of-13 for 7.7 percent. At the charity stripe, the Bulldogs were 18-of-24 for 75.0 percent.

The Golden Eagles would be within four after the first quarter, which concluded with a Harris jumper to make it 17-13. UMC would get with three at 21-18 after a Nordick jumper. UMD would then out-score the Golden Eagles 7-0 as Anna Monke hit two free throws to make it 28-18 with 3:56 remaining.

UMC would be able to get back within striking distance late in the half as they went on a 5-0 run to end the half led by a Michaelis three and Noga free throws.
The Golden Eagles would hold close in the third quarter as they would have the game tied 46-46 on a Nordick lay-up and they would take the lead 49-46 on a Thielman trey.

UMC would lead 59-55 with 6:29 left in the fourth following a Gruber lay-up but buckets from Porte and Emma Boehm would tie up the game 59-59 with 5:56 remaining.

The Bulldogs would be able to take the 63-60 lead as Kane hit a lay-up. Thielman would then strike back with a three with 1:51 remaining.

UMD would be able to extend their lead to 69-63 on an Olley free throw.

UMC would be able to cut the lead to 69-65 on a pair of Thielman free throws but the Bulldogs would seal the win as Dillinger connected on free throws to ice the game.

The Golden Eagles will take on St. Cloud State University Sat., Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. at Halenbeck Hall.

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 a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.


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