BISMARCK, N.D.– Three players scored in double figures as the University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team picked up a 72-54 win over University of Mary Saturday Evening at the McDowell Activity Center. The Golden Eagles were led by Katrina Moenkedick (Jr., F, Perham, Minn./Applied Studies) who put a stamp on a banner weekend with 17 points on eight rebounds. Point Guard Micaela Noga (Fr., G, Parkers Prairie, Minn./Health Management) added 14 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, while Alexa Thielman (Jr., G, Buffalo, Minn./Health Science) had 16 points and five assists.

The Golden Eagles improved to 12-12 (11-9 NSIC) with Saturday's victory and moved back into sole possession of third place with a St. Cloud State University loss. UMC enters the last weekend in control of their own destiny as they face-off with Northern State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead in hopes of getting one of the top four spots in the NSIC North. The top four teams will host the first round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament Wed., Feb. 25.

UMC picked up the season sweep over University of Mary. The Marauders fall to 9-17 (7-13 NSIC). The Golden Eagles are just one win shy of tying their top wins mark during the Mike Roysland era. UMC went 13-14 during the 2010-11 season.

In addition to the three that had double-figures for the Golden Eagles, Ebony Livingston (Sr., G/F, Minneapolis, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) had eight points and five rebounds, while Emily Gruber (Fr., F/C, Monticello, Minn.) had seven points and six rebounds.

The Golden Eagles shot 27-of-59 from the field for 45.8 percent and were 5-of-16 for 31.3 percent from beyond the arc. They also controlled the glass, out-rebounding U-Mary 41-31 on the evening.

The Marauders were led by 21 points from Brittney Dietz on 7-of-15 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Sloan Turner added eight points and five boards, while Hannah Larson had six points and 10 rebounds.

The Golden Eagles would go into the half with a 29-25 lead over the Marauders led by Thielman's eight first-half points. U-Mary was led by 10 points in the first half from Dietz.

The Marauders would hold the lead to within 10 points for most of the second half, but an 11-0 run led by two treys from Thielman would push a seven-point advantage at the 8:56 mark out to an 18-point lead with 4:06 left in the half. The Golden Eagles would be able to hold their big advantage and come away with the 72-54 win.

With Saturday's performance, Thielman moved closer to the 1,000 point mark. The guard is looking to join teammate Moenkedick who joined the club Friday. Thielman needs 29 points to become the 10th player in school history to do so. Moenkedick moved up to eighth all-time for career scoring, surpassing Bri Zabel. Moenkedick is also looking to become the fourth player all-time to secure 500 career rebounds and third player all-time to have 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. Moenkedick now needs just 31 rebounds to move past 500.

The Golden Eagles will close out the regular-season with games against Northern State University and
Minnesota State University Moorhead Fri., Feb. 20 and Sat., Feb. 21.

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).