CROOKSTON, Minn. – Alison Hughes (So., G, Janesville, Wis.) broke the school record with 36 points as the University of Minnesota Crookston shattered a six-game losing streak with an 86-70 win over Minot State University. Hughes' 36 points on 9-of-16 from the field, 6-of-10 from beyond the arc and 12-of-12 from the charity stripe surpasses the previous mark set by Karna Plaine in 2003 and Jessica Forsline in 2000 and 2001.

In addition to Hughes, Isieoma Odor (R-So., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.) also had a big night with 20 points and nine boards. The two players combined for 56 of the team 86 points.

The Golden Eagles would go on a 21-2 run at the end of the second and beginning of the third quarter to catapult them to the victory.  

Minnesota Crookston improved to 7-18 (7-14 NSIC) with Friday's victory. The Golden Eagles will be sixth seed in the NSIC North Division as they are one game away from the start of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament. The destination for UMC in the first round is still up in the air. Wayne State College and Winona State University will play for the No. 2 seed on Saturday. The loser of that game along with University of Sioux Falls and Concordia University-St. Paul are all still in play for the No. 3 seed.

Minot State falls to 4-23 (2-19 NSIC) with Friday's loss.

The Golden Eagles shot 26-of-55 from the field for 47.3 percent. They were 11-of-26 from beyond the arc for 42.3 percent. They also had a big day from the charity stripe as they finished 23-of-27 for 85.2 percent.

In addition to Hughes' big offensive game, she added six rebounds and two assists. Micaela Noga (Jr., G, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) chipped in 11 points and five boards. Stephanie McWilliams (Fr., G, Grand Forks, Minn.) did a lot of the small things in the game as she had four points, six rebounds and seven assists.

The Golden Eagles edged the Beavers on the glass 39-34.

Minot State finished the game shooting 24-of-67 from the field for 35.8 percent. They were 6-of-16 from beyond the arc for 37.5 percent and 16-of-22 for 72.7 percent from the charity stripe.

The Beavers looked to 17 points from Madison Wald on 6-of-13 from the field. Kristal Flowers added 16 points and seven boards, while Diondra Denton and Mariah Payne each chipped in 10 points.

The Beavers had 11 turnovers on the game.

The Golden Eagles would start the game on a 5-0 run with a trey from Hughes and a bucket from Odor. Minot State would use a 7-0 run led by a triple from Denton to take the lead 7-5 with 6:44 left in the first quarter. UMC would respond led by an old-fashioned three-point play from Hughes to take the lead back 8-7.

Minot State would then go on a 6-0 run to take the 13-8 lead on Minnesota Crookston with 5:11 left in the first frame. The Beavers would push their lead out to 19-10 following a Kari Clements old-fashioned three-point play with 2:29 left in the game.

Minnesota Crookston would be able to pull within 21-16 after a pair of free throw from Hughes going into the half.

Free throws from Paige Weakley (Fr., G/F, Kearney, Mo.) and a triple from Hughes would pull UMC within 22-21 early in the second quarter. Minot State would fend the Golden Eagles off on this occasion with a three-pointer from Wald to make it 25-21. UMC would piece away at the lead and would go up as Odor hit a bucket to make it 28-27 with 6:54 remaining in the second quarter. 

Payne would take the lead back for the Beavers to make it 29-28, but UMC would come right back with an Odor basket to make it 30-29. The Golden Eagles would close the second half on a 13-2 run led by six points by Odor. Minnesota Crookston would lead at the break 41-31 over the Beavers.

Hughes would open up the third quarter with a pair of three-pointers to extend the Golden Eagle advantage to 47-31. An Odor basket would extend the lead to 49-31. Minot State would go on an 8-0 run culminating with a Payne three-pointer to cut the lead to 49-39.

UMC would respond with a big play from Noga as she converted a three-point play to make it 52-39 with 3:45 left in the quarter. A bucket from Flowers and a trey from Wald would pull Minot State within 52-44. A three-pointer from Lindsey Weber (So., G/F, Delafield, Wis.) would help push the lead out to 58-46 going into the quarter break.

Minnesota Crookston opened the fourth quarter on a 9-4 run as they took a 67-50 lead on an Odor basket. Minot State would be able to get the lead down to 67-54 on a Wald jumper. However, UMC would continue to fend off the Beavers as they took the 86-70 win.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up the regular- season Sat., Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. against University of Mary. The NSIC/Sanford Health tournament will open at home sites on Wed., Feb. 22.