CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team outscored Bemidji State University 27-12 in the third quarter to upend Bemidji State University 80-68 Thurs., Dec. 15. The win is the first of the 2016-17 campaign for the Golden Eagles. UMC had five players score in double-figures on the night as they used scoring balance and shot 42.1 percent from the field to take down their rivals from just 88 mile down U.S. Highway 2.

Minnesota Crookston has now won the last three meetings against Bemidji State. They have taken four of the last five over the Beavers. UMC improves to 1-8 (1-4 NSIC) with Thursday's win. Bemidji State falls to 3-6 (0-5 NSIC) with the loss.

The Golden Eagles were led out of the gate by the play of Emily Gruber (Jr., F/C, Monticello, Minn.), who was aggressive getting into the paint. Gruber finished with 14 points on 4-of-9 from the field. Alison Hughes (So., G, Janesville, Wis.) would have a big game for Minnesota Crookston with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists. Hughes went 6-of-8 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe. Isieoma Odor (R-So., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.) would finish the game strong for the Golden Eagles. She tallied 12 points and seven boards.

Off of the bench, UMC got stellar production out of Kelsey Stinson (Fr., G/F, Cottage Grove, Wis.) and Kitri Zezza (Fr., G, Albertville, Minn.). Stinson continues her hot shooting string with 11 points, including going 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. She added six rebounds. Zezza tallied 14 points as she did a great job of getting into the lane. Eight of her points came from the charity stripe, where she finished 8-of-11 on the evening.

The Golden Eagles would go 24-of-57 for 42.1 percent from the field and 7-of-20 for 35.0 percent from behind the three-point line. Where they really one the game though was the charity stripe, where they finished 25-of-31 for 80.6 percent.

UMC and Bemidji State were even on the boards on the night as they both corralled 38 on the night.

BSU would go 26-of-68 for 38.2 percent from the field and 8-of-30 for 26.7 percent from beyond the arc. Bemidji State finished just 8-of-12 for 66.7 percent from the free-throw line.

The Beavers looked to 24 points on 9-of-16 from the field for Aimee Pelzer. Tatum Sheley added 14 points, while Sierra Senske had nine points and 13 boards.

Bemidji State would have 15 turnovers on the game.

The Golden Eagles would start out the game on a 5-0 run as Gruber scored all five of those points out of the gate. Bemidji State would be able to come back and take the lead 7-6 on a Pelzer trey.

Minnesota Crookston would counter by going on a 13-6 run as they led 19-12 after a Zezza free throw with 1:52 left in the first quarter.

Bemidji State would finish the first quarter on a 5-0 run as they were down just 19-17 at the quarter break.

UMC would start out the second quarter on a 4-0 run as they led 23-17 after a Zezza free throw.

The Beavers would get the game back within one at 23-22 after a Emma Rappe three-pointer with 6:59 left in the half. Micaela Noga (Jr., G, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) would respond with a three of her own to make it 26-22.

The Golden Eagles would be able to get their advantage out to 33-23 on a Stinson trey with 3:06 left in the half.

Bemidji State would be able to cut the lead down to five points at 35-30 after a Sydney Arrington bucket. That would be the score scoring into the break.

BSU would come out of the locker room strong and would knot it up 35-35 after five points from Sheley. However, it would be all Golden Eagles from there as they went on a 14-2 run to make it 49-37 following a Stinson three-pointer.

Bemidji State would cut it to 49-39 with a pair of Senske free throws, but UMC came right back and went on an 11-0 run to make it 60-39 with 1:13 left in the third quarter.

The Golden Eagles would go into the quarter break up 62-42 on the Beavers.

UMC would be able to get their advantage out to 26 (74-48) after a pair of Zezza free throws with 6:22 left in the game. However, UMC would struggle from there as Bemidji State would score 20 of the last 26 points to get to within 80-68. Minnesota Crookston would be able to hang on due in large part to their third quarter performance.

The Golden Eagles will now head into holiday break before returning to action Dec. 30 on the road at Winona State University at 6 p.m.