BISMARCK, N.D. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team would ring in the New Year with their fourth-straight victory as they upended University of Mary 85-79 at the McDowell Activity Center. The Golden Eagles and Marauders would play a hard-fought game but four UMC players would score in double figures as UMC would win to move to 8-3 (5-2 NSIC). UMC's 8-3 start is the best for the Golden Eagle women's basketball program, surpassing the 7-4 start that the 2004-05 team had on their way to a 16-12 mark. U-Mary falls to 7-8 (1-6 NSIC) with Saturday's loss.

The Golden Eagles were led by the play of Katrina Nordick (Sr., F, Perham, Minn./Applied Studies), who continued her hot streak with 24 points and seven rebounds Saturday. Nordick is averaging 24.5 points and 9.75 rebounds over the last four games for UMC. She was 7-of-13 from the field and 10-of-11 from the free-throw line. Nordick is averaging 17.2 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Golden Eagles as a senior.

Alexa Thielman (Sr., G, Buffalo, Minn./Health Science) chipped in 15 points, including going 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Thielman needs just five three-pointers to break the all-time record set by Amy Kuznia (2000-04). She also needs just 28 points to move past former teammate Brittani Wiese for fifth place all-time on the scoring charts.

Alison Hughes (Fr., G, Janesville, Wis./Early Childhood Education) had a banner day with 15 points and four assists, while playing all 40 minutes, while Emily Gruber (So., F/C, Monticello, Minn./Communications) added 11 points and eight boards.

The Golden Eagles were 25-of-56 for 44.6 percent from the field, 11of-22 for 50 percent from beyond the arc and 24-of-29 for 82.8 percent from the charity stripe.

The Marauders were led by 33 points and eight rebounds from Brittney Dietz, who had a great day for U-Mary going 12-of-23 from the field. Dan Williams added 18 points and six rebounds, while Hannah Larson had 15 points and five boards.

U-Mary was 29-of-63 for 46 percent from the field, 7-of-22 for 31.8 percent from three and 14-of-18 for 77.8 percent from the charity stripe.

UMC would get out to a 20-7 lead in the first quarter on an Isieoma Odor (R-Fr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn./Health Management) lay-up. However U-Mary would put up a charge to cut the lead to seven on a Rachel Weir shot with 1:53 left in the first quarter.

The Marauders would build on their momentum out of the gate as Dani Clarke hit a three and Weir hit a lay-up to get U-Mary within two (20-18) with 8:43 left in the second quarter.

A 7-0 run from the Golden Eagles led by a Caitlin Michaelis (Fr., G, Marshfield, Wis.) three would put UMC up 27-18 with 7:21 left in the second quarter. The Golden Eagles would go into the break with a 39-31 advantage on the Marauders.

A 6-0 run from the Marauders early in the third would cut the lead to three (42-39) as Larson hit a shot in the paint.  UMC would fight back and push the lead out to seven after two Nordick free throws. UMC would go into the break with a 52-48 advantage on their counterparts from Bismarck.

The closest U-Mary would get would be three on a Dani Williams trey with 8:30 remaining, but the Golden Eagles would hold strong to hold off the Marauders.

UMC will take on Minot State University Sun., Jan. 3 at 4 p.m. at the MSU Dome in Minot, N.D. They remain in a three-way tie for second in the NSIC North with Minnesota Staet University Moorhead and Northern State University.

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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