SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A second half run and 19 points from Lexie Ulfers and 20 points from Aubrey Davis would propel Minnesota State University, Mankato to a 70-60 win over the University of Minnesota Crookston in the quarterfinals of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. The Golden Eagles' breakout season ends at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. as they finish the year with a 14-14 mark, their best since the 2004-05 season. Minnesota State improves to 21-8 and advances to the semi-finals where they will play Northern State University Mon., March 1 at 12 p.m.
UMC would lead at the half, but would struggle to shoot the ball in the second half, connecting on just 27.3 percent of their shots (9-of-33). The Golden Eagles were led by a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds from
Katrina Moenkedick (Jr., F, Perham, Minn./Applied Studies).
Micaela Noga (Fr., G, Parkers Prairie, Minn./Health Management) chipped in 12 points, while
Ebony Livingston (Sr., G/F, Minneapolis, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) had 10 points and eight boards.
The Golden Eagles were 21-of-63 for 33.3 percent from the field. They struggled to shoot the three, hitting on just 3-of-19 for 15.8 percent. UMC was 15-of-20 for 75 percent from the charity stripe.
In addition to Ulfers and Davis, Sammie Delzotto chipped in nine points, as did Britney Scherber. The Mavericks were 23-of-50 for 46 percent from the field and 5-of-16 for 31.3 percent from beyond the arc. They were 19-of-23 for 82.6 percent from the charity stripe.
The Golden Eagles and Mavericks would go toe-to-toe early on in the first half. Minnesota Staet would push out to a 22-15 lead on a Delzotto trey from the wing with 10: 25 remaining. The Golden Eagles would be able to close within three on a Livingston steal and fastbreak lay-up to make it 22-19 with 8:33 left in the half. However, Minnesota State would push back out to a 25-19 advantage on an Ulfers jumper with 7:49 left in the first half.
UMC would be able to get back within two points as
Emily Gruber (Fr., F/C, Monticello, Minn.) connected on two free throws with 6:59 left to make it 25-23 Mavericks. The Golden Eagles would take the lead over the Mavericks 26-25 as Livingston drained a three with 6:20 left in the half. Minnesota State would however quickly take the lead back with two Davis free throws to make it 27-26 Minnesota State. The Mavericks would push their lead back out to 29-26 on a Claire Jordan jumper in the lane with 5:30 remaining in the first frame.
The Golden Eagles would be able to take the lead back as Moenkedick made a crucial shot and
Micaela Noga sinked a jumper to put UMC up 30-29 with 4:15 left in the half. The Golden Eagles would push their lead out to 34-29 with 1:30 left as Livingston, one of the best free-throw shooters in the nation, sank two free throws. UMC would go into the half with the 34-29 advantage.
Minnesota Crookston was led by Livingston at the half. The senior had nine points, four rebounds and three steals. Gruber added eight points and four boards. Noga chipped in six points. The Golden Eagles shot 12-of-30 for 40 percent from the field and were 2-of-7 from beyond the arc for 28.6 percent. In addition, they were 8-of-9 from the charity stripe for 88.9 percent. Both teams had 18 rebound at the break.
Minnesota State fed Ulfers in the first half, as she lead all scorers with 13 points on 5-of-6 from the field. Davis added six points. The Mavericks were 11-of-28 for 39.3 percent from the field and 2-of-9 for 22.2 percent from beyond the arc. In addition, Minnesota State was 5-of-6 for 83.3 percent from the charity stripe.
The Mavericks would quickly knot the game up out of the break on a Delzotto three with 18:30 remaining in the game to make it 36-36. Minnesota State would push out to a 39-38 lead on a Delzotto free throw with 16:20 left in the game and would extend their lead to 41-38 on a bucket from Jamie Bresnahan.
Minnesota State would push their lead out to 45-41 on a bucket from Ulfers with 12:30 remaining in the game. The Golden Eagles wouldn't go away though as
Katrina Moenkedick hit a trey to pull within one (45-44) with 11:15 left in the game. The Mavericks would get their advantage back out to 50-45 with 10:20 left in the half on a Davis three, which would start an 12-3 run for Minnesota State. The Mavericks would have the 59-48 lead with 6:17 left in the game.
The Golden Eagles would be able to cut into the Minnesota State lead as Noga hit a pair of three throws to make it 59-52 with five minutes left in the game. However, Bresnahan would match the points on the other end to make it 61-52 with 4:40 left in the game.
UMC would not go away as Moenkedick and Noga scored quick baskets to cut the deficit to 62-56 with 3:30 left in the game. Two Davis free throws would put Minnesota State up 64-56 with 2:55 left in the contest. The Golden Eagles couldn't find the crucial bucket to close the gap even further as the Mavericks would hang on for the 70-60 win.
The loss signifies the ends of the careers from Livingston,
Ashley Martell (Sr., G, Somerset, Wis./Health Science),
Kenzie Church (Sr., F, Fairmount, N.D./Management) and
Erika McRoberts (Jr., F/C, Byron, Minn./Health Science). The quartet has been huge leaders of a program that has made huge strides in the 2014-15 season.
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).
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