CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team fell 74-64 to the University of Minnesota Duluth Sat., Dec.2 in Lysaker Gymnasium in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Match-up. The Bulldogs used a 12-0 run in the second quarter to ignite Saturday's victory. The Golden Eagles put together a strong second half, but were ultimately unable to overcome the first half run by Minnesota Duluth.

The Golden Eagles fall to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in conference play. Minnesota Duluth improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Minnesota Crookston shot 27-of-62 from the field for 43.5 percent. They connected on 5-of-20 from beyond the arc for 25 percent. The Golden Eagles were 5-for-7 for 71.4 percent.

The Golden Eagles looked to Emily Gruber (Sr., F/C, Monticello, Minn.) with 17 points and seven boards on 7-of-12 from the field. Caitlin Michaelis  (Jr.,G, Marshfield, Wis.) added 15 points and two assists. Isieoma Odor (R-Jr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.) had her third double-double of the season with 13 points with 10 rebounds.

Micaela Noga (Sr., G, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) helped facilitate the offense with four assists, and added 11 points along with 10 boards.

Minnesota Duluth looked to 20 points from Sammy Kozlowski on 5-of-14 from the field and 9-for-11 at the free throw line. Katie Stark chipped in going 6-of-11 from the field and had five boards. Sarah Grow added 11 points and six rebounds.

The Bulldogs shot 26-of-71 from the field for just 36.6 percent. They were 6-of-15 from beyond the arc for 40 percent. They shot well at the free throw line going 16-for-22. Minnesota Duluth's bench was the difference as they all contributed and outscored Minnesota Crookston's bench 19-8.

Minnesota Duluth won the tip off and quickly got the scoring started with a three pointer from Stark. Minnesota Crookston later answered back with Michaelis making a layup while being fouled and converting the free throw attempt for an old fashion three-point play. Both teams got into a good rhythm as both teams were scoring at will. Minnesota Duluth jumped out to a 24-17 lead with seven points from Kozlowski and five points from Emma Boehm. Minnesota Crookston cut into the deficit with a few seconds left in the quarter with a three pointer from Noga. After the first quarter, Minnesota Duluth led Minnesota Crookston 24-20. Michaelis led Minnesota Crookston with seven points.

Minnesota Crookston got the scoring started for the second quarter with a three-pointer from Noga. The Golden Eagles remained hot as they took their first lead of the night on a Gruber layup making the score 27-26. The Golden Eagles would not hold the lead for long as Minnesota Duluth regained the lead and added to it making the score 38-32. Minnesota Duluth shot well from behind the three-point line and that is what kept them in front for the rest of the second quarter. After the second half Minnesota Duluth led Minnesota Crookston 45-33. Isieoma Odor and Michaelis who both had 10 points led Minnesota Crookston. Stark led Minnesota Duluth with 12 points.

Gruber made a quick layup to get scoring started for the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Crookston continued to chip away behind strong play from Gruber. Behind Odor and Gruber Minnesota Crookston was able to cut the deficit to 53-48. With 20 seconds left Odor went to the line where she went one for two to give Minnesota Crookston 49. Anna Monke got to the line for Minnesota Duluth where she made both free throws to give Minnesota Duluth 55.

Grow made a three-point play for Minnesota Duluth to start the fourth quarter, giving them a 58-49 lead. Michaelis made a big three-pointer to give Minnesota Crookston momentum with six minutes left in the game. However Minnesota Crookston could not capitalize, as Minnesota Duluth's bench play remained solid. Minnesota Crookston hit a couple big shots in the final minutes of the game but unfortunately, time ran out. Minnesota Duluth was able to hold off and win 74-64.

Minnesota Crookston returns to action Fri., Dec. 8 as they take on Minnesota State University Moorhead on the road at 6 p.m. in Moorhead, Minn.