CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team will open up the 2017-18 season Fri., Nov. 17 and Sat., Nov. 18 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles will host No. 21 Michigan Tech University Fri., Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. and Northern Michigan University Sat., Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m.

Minnesota Crookston opens the season at the friendly confines of Lysaker Gymnasium for the first time since opening the 2013-14 season with Valley City State University Nov. 12, 2013. The Golden Eagles hosted four non-conference games during the 2013-14 season, marking the last season in which they had home non-conference games at Lysaker Gymnasium.

Minnesota Crookston is coming off three-consecutive appearances in the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. The Golden Eagles look to Isieoma Odor (R-Jr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.) in the post, who is averaging 19.0 point and 8.5 rebounds per game in the exhibition season. Minnesota Crookston also returns senior guard Micaela Noga (Sr., G, Parkers Prairie, Minn.), who tallied 15.5 points per game in exhibition play. Emily Gruber (Sr., F/C, Monticello, Minn.) is also back for her senior season. The forward tallied 13 points in a home exhibition game against Concordia College (Minn.).
Minnesota Crookston went 8-20 last season. The Golden Eagles shot 38.8 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc. Minnesota Crookston notched 67.6 points per game last season. The Golden Eagles also return starter Caitlin Michaelis (Jr., G, Marshfield, Wis.), while Stephanie McWilliams (So., G, Grand Forks, N.D.) appeared in the starting line-up some last season. Michaelis averaged 5.1 points and 2.5 rebounds per game last season, while McWilliams notched 2.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Off the bench, the Golden Eagles are looking for production as several players look to prove themselves in non-conference play. Freshman guard Kasey Harper (G, Mesa, Ariz.) showed her speed and court vision in exhibition and will look to make her mark. In addition, the Golden Eagles got strong moments from Abby Guidinger (Fr., G/F, Waukesha, Wis.), Lindsey Weber (Jr., G/F, Delafield, Wis.), Amber Schoenicke (Fr., F/C, Marshall, Wis.) and Paige Weakley (Fr., G/F, Kearney, Mo.). Ashley Freund (Fr., F, Jordan, Minn.) and Maria Delgado (Jr., G, London, England) saw limited time in exhibition play but will look to make their mark for the Golden Eagles, as well with competition for spots still up for grabs in pre-season play.

Minnesota Crookston picked up a 77-57 win in exhibition play over Concordia College (Minn.). The Golden Eagles led by 32 points in the fourth quarter before pulling their starters. In their exhibition with NCAA Division I foe University of North Dakota, the Golden Eagles trailed by nine at half but the Fighting Hawks used a 30-14 run in the final quarter to pick up the 79-50 victory.

Michigan Tech vs. Minnesota Crookston
Fri., Nov. 17 – 6 p.m. – Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Stats - http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/wbball/
Video – https://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab
Radio – 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM

Michigan Tech comes into the weekend with a 2-0 mark. The Huskies went 20-8 on the season on their way to the GLIAC semifinals. Michigan Tech looks to guard Lindsay Winter, who is averaging 18.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. Winter is shooting 71.4 percent from the field. In addition, Kelli Guy is tallying 18.0 points per game. In the post, Elizabeth Kelliher leads the way with 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, while Hannah Stoll is notching 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest. The Huskies are shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from beyond the arc.

The Huskies defeated Davis & Elkins College 65-48 and took down Ursuline University 81-67. The Huskies play Minnesota State University Moorhead Thursday. Michigan Tech looked to 29 points from Winter against Davis & Elkins, while Kelliher added 13 and Guy had 11. The Huskies had five players scored in double-figures in a win over Ursuline with Guy leading the way with 25.
 
Northern Michigan at Minnesota Crookston
Sat., Nov. 18 – 1:30 p.m. – Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Stats - http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/wbball/
Video – https://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab
Radio – 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM

Northern Michigan enters the weekend with a 1-1 record. The Wildcats are coming off a 17-12 mark last season. Northern Michigan has a lot of length in their line-up with four players that are 5-10 or taller. Darby Youngstrom leads the way with 14.0 points per game. In the post, 6-3 forward Jessica Schultz is tallying 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds.  Lexi Smith is coming off the bench for 6.0 points per game.

The Wildcats defeated University of Indianapolis 59-53, but struggled in an 82-59 loss at Lewis University. Northern Michigan looked to 20 points from Schultz in the win, while Youngstrom added 14. Against Lewis, Youngstrom notched 14 but the rest of the team was limited. 
Northern Michigan is shooting 37.7 percent from the field and just 21.6 percent from beyond the arc.