CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team got off to a slow start but used a big second quarter surge to notch an 85-74 win over the University of Mary Fri., Jan. 19 at Lysaker Gymnasium. Minnesota Crookston is playing some of their best basketball of the season as they have won three of their last four games. The Golden Eagles went on a 25-8 run in the second quarter to tie the game up and eventually win. Minnesota Crookston's second quarter run would be crucial after they found themselves with an early 25-10 deficit before hitting a three-pointer to end the first quarter.

The Golden Eagles have won back-to-back games on their home court as they improve to 5-12 (5-8 NSIC) with Friday night's victory. The Golden Eagles were tied with the University of Mary in fifth place before Friday night's game. Minnesota Crookston sits in a tie for fifth place with their Saturday opponent Minot State University. University of Mary falls to 4-13 (4-9 NSIC) on the season.

Abby Guidinger (Fr., G/F, Waukesha, Wis) led the way for Minnesota Crookston scoring a season-high 22 points and grabbing five rebounds. Guidinger has been playing very well lately and continued to provide a spark to the offense today. She is averaging 16.8 points over the last four games.

Caitlin Michaelis (Jr., G, Marshfield, Wis.) added 20 points with three rebounds and two assists.

Micaela Noga (Sr., G, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) added 16 points with three rebounds and two assist. Noga became the 11^th person in school history to reach the 1,000 point mark with her 12^th point of the game, which came in the second half. Noga needs just 10 points to surpass Bri Zabel for 10^th all-time in scoring at Minnesota Crookston.

Isieoma Odor (R-Jr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.) added 16 points along with four rebounds and three assists for the Golden Eagles.

The Golden Eagles were 27-of-60 from the field for 45 percent. Minnesota Crookston was 6-of-16 for 37.5 percent from beyond the arc and an almost perfect 25-of-26 from the foul line for 96.2 percent. U-Mary picked up the rebounding edge over Minnesota Crookston 34-31 on the night.

U-Mary struggled due to the stout defense of Minnesota Crookston. The Marauders were 25-of-55 for 45.5 percent. They also shot 6-of-18 for 33.3 percent beyond the arc. University of Mary shot 18-of-24 at the free throw line for 75 percent. University of Mary also turned the ball over 16 times which played a big part in the Golden Eagles win.

U-Mary was led by Gabbie Bohl with 20 points and six rebounds. Cassie Askvig added 18 points and five rebounds. Lauren Rotunda added 10 points and six rebounds as well.

The Marauders got off to a quick start behind senior guard Dani Williams as she scored the first two points. Rotunda added a three and Bohl hit a quick lay up as U-Mary jumped out on a 9-0 run. Guidinger got the University of Minnesota Crookston going with five points after the Golden Eagles struggled to score for the first five minutes of the game. U-Mary capitalized on four turnovers and poor shooting from the Golden Eagles jumping out to a 25-13 lead after the first quarter. 

Michaelis led Golden Eagle scoring with eight while Guidinger had five points for the first quarter.

Odor got the scoring started for the second quarter by making a strong layup while being fouled then finishing off the play by making the layup. Paige Weakley (Fr., G/F, Kearney, Mo.) added a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 25-19. The Golden Eagles stout defense and good shooting got them back into the game as two free throws from Odor tied it all up at 25-25. Minnesota Crookston took the lead on a Michaelis layup. Mary broke Minnesota Crookston's 14-0 run with two free throws from Isabel Schmelzer tying it back up at 27-27. Noga made a three-pointer to regain the lead and the Golden Eagles continued to build on that jumping out to a 38-31 for their biggest lead of the night. The Golden Eagles led 38-33 to end the half going on a huge 25-8 run in the quarter.

The Marauders Mary got off to a fast start to start the third quarter taking a 42-40 lead over Minnesota Crookston. Askvig made a three pointer pushing Mary's lead to 45-40. Odor immediately responded making another layup while being fouled and converting the free throw. Emily Gruber (Sr., F/C, Monticello, Minn.) tied things up with a strong layup making the score 45-45. Both teams would then continue to trade blows going back and forth. Mary extend the lead to 53-57 then Michealis responded by making both of her free throws. Noga had a huge block with seven seconds left that kept the score at 59-57 to end the third quarter.

Guidinger got the scoring started for the fourth quarter as she tied the score at 59-59. The Marauders responded by getting Bohl to the free throw line where she hit 1-of-2 shots. Noga responded with a shot that gave Minnesota Crookston a 61-60 lead. Guidinger remained hot as she made a big layup while getting fouled and converting the free throw to give the Golden Eagles a 66-65 lead with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Noga extended the lead to 68-65 while getting breaking the 1,000 point milestone. With two minutes and 29 seconds left Minnesota Crookston entered the bonus where they continued to make the most of their free throw shots extending the lead to 75-68. Minnesota Crookston's defense continued to lock down U-Mary forcing more turnovers and hitting free throws to put the game out of reach for Mary. Minnesota Crookston won 85-74 over U-Mary.

Minnesota Crookston is at home again Sat., Jan. 20 as they host Minot State University at 4 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium.