CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team fell 58-52 to St. Cloud State University Fri, Dec.1 in Lysaker Gymnasium as both teams opened up conference play. The Golden Eagles were in control until late in the fourth quarter but could not hold on to the lead after a late surge from St. Cloud State. Minnesota Crookston shot 40 percent from the field while St. Cloud State University only shot 35.5 percent from the field.

The Golden Eagles fall to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play. St. Cloud State improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

Minnesota Crookston shot 20-of-50 from the field for 40.0 percent. They connected on 6-of-28 from beyond the arc for 21.4 percent. The Golden Eagles were an unblemished 6-of-6 for 100.0 percent.

The Golden Eagles looked to Isieoma Odor (R-Jr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.) with 14 points and eight boards on 6-of-10 from the field. Emily Gruber (Sr., F/C, Monticello, Minn.) added 12 points and five boards. Micaela Noga (Sr., G, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) chipped in 12 points.

Caitlin Michaelis (Jr., G, Marshfield, Wis.) helped facilitate the offense with four assists, she added seven and points and five boards. Paige Weakley (So., G/F, Kearney, Mo.) came off the bench for five points.

St. Cloud State looked to 14 points from Andrea Thomas on 4-of-10 from the field. Amanda Christianson chipped in 12 points and six boards. Brianna Johnson finished with eight points and nine rebounds in the post before fouling out. Tori Wortz played crucial minutes off of the bench and finished with 10 points.

The Huskies shot 22-of-62 from the field for just 35.5 percent. They were just 4-of-18 from behind the three-point line for 22.2 percent. They also struggled from the free throw line where they connected on 10-of-17 from the field for 58.8 percent. St. Cloud State won the game with their work on the glass as they controlled the boards 45-26 including 22 offensive rebounds.

Michaelis got the scoring started for UMC with a quick layup. Minnesota Crookston got out to a 6-3 lead early and neither team could really get much going as the scored remained 6-3 for about three minutes. St. Cloud State's Mackenzie Uter broke the 0-0 run with a layup to bring them within one point. With 1:26 left in the first quarter, Micaela Noga was able to get to the line where she went 2-2 to extend Minnesota Crookston's lead to 8-5. Michaelis would also end the scoring for Minnesota Crookston with a layup as time expired. Michaelis and Noga led scoring for Minnesota Crookston in the first quarter with four apiece.

Michaelis would remain hot as she hit a three-pointer to get things started for the second quarter as Minnesota Crookston extended their lead to 15-5. Minnesota Crookston would continue to dominate, as they were hot from beyond the arc with threes from Weakley, Michaelis, and Noga. St. Could State cut into the deficit with four points from Wortz, three points from Doucette, and two points from Thomas and Kiloboten. At the end of the first half Minnesota Crookston was leading 27-15. Noga led Minnesota Crookston with seven points as mostly everyone contributed to the scoring. Wortz led St. Cloud State with four points.

Gruber got things started in the third quarter with a three-pointer pushing Minnesota Crookston's lead to 30-15. St. Cloud State was able to answer back by getting to the line as Johnson hit both shots at the free throw line. Noga was able to get back to the line for Minnesota Crookston making both shots at the line. St. Cloud State gained momentum by knocking down big shots and cut the lead down to eight points. After a Minnesota Crookston timeout, Noga responded with a three pointer to increase the lead to 41-30. Both teams continued to trade baskets as time expired in third quarter, with St. Cloud State closing the gap even more with a score of 45-38.

St. Cloud State continued their run by striking first going one for two at the line to start the fourth quarter. Christianson scored again with a jumper to bring St. Cloud State within four points.

Thomas scored on a layup to bring St. Cloud State within two points. After not scoring for the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, Minnesota Crookston's Gruber hit a jumper to break the run. St. Cloud State tied the game up 48-48. They then looked to Christianson who had the hot hand as she made a three pointer to give St. Cloud State a 51-48 lead. The lead was St. Cloud State's first of the game. Odor was able to get to the line for Minnesota Crookston to cut the lead to 53-50. With a little bit of time left on the clock Thomas sealed it with a layup to extend St. Cloud State's lead to 55-50. Mackenzie Korf was fouled and sent to the free throw line where she made both shots to give St. Cloud State a little breathing room with a 57-50 lead. The final score of the game was St. Cloud State 58, Minnesota Crookston 52.

Minnesota Crookston returns to action against the University of Minnesota Duluth at 4 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium.