CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball moved to 4-0 with a 72-66 win over Mayville State University Sat., Nov. 17 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles were able to hold off for the Comets despite a difficult test throughout Saturday's game.
The Golden Eagles used an early 20-0 run to prevail 72-66 over the Comets The slow start proved to be too much for Mayville State to overcome despite their best efforts. Minnesota Crookston continues their hot start as they remain perfect starting the season at 4-0. Mayville State falls to 2-3 after tonight's loss. The unblemished 4-0 mark is the best start for Minnesota Crookston since the 2004-05 season. The Golden Eagles are off to an unequaled start during Mike Roysland's 13 seasons leading the ship for Minnesota Crookston.
Minnesota Crookston shot 26-of-69 for 37.7 percent from the field. The Golden Eagles shot 4-of-15 from the three-point line for 26.7 percent. They were 16-of-19 from the free-throw line for 84.2 percent as well.
The Golden Eagles were led by Caitlin Michaelis (Sr., G, Marshfield, Wis.), who had 17 points along with three steals. Michaelis made a lot of big shots that ultimately kept the game out of reach for the Comets. Isieoma Odor (R-Sr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.), also had a big night notching 16 points and 17 rebounds in the post. Odor has secured double-doubles in each of Minnesota Crookston's four tilts this season. She is averaging 17.0 points and 13.8 rebounds per game on the 2018-19 slate. Odor moved to ninth all-time on the career scoring list surpassing Cathy Behr. Odor is now fourth all-time in rebounds, needing just 10 rebounds to move past Emily Gruber in third place.
Kylie Post (G, Corcoran, Minn.) also provided a spark with 10 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Abby Guidinger (Jr., G/F, Waukesha, Wis.) finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
Mayville State got off to a slow start as the three ball was not falling to begin the game. Mayville State shot 25-of-65 from the field for 38.5 percent and 10-of-32 from beyond the arc for 31.3 percent. The Comets were a perfect 6-of-6 at the free throw line.
The Comets were led by Kylee Huerung with 17 points and two steals. Claire Blascziek added 16 points and five rebounds for Mayville State as well. Joelle Ertl contributed 11 points and four rebounds on the night.
Mayville State won the Golden Eagles tip-off but quickly stole the ball and got on the board with a layup from Paige Weakley (Jr., G/F, Kearney, Mo.). Turnovers along with a slow start kept them off the board through the first five minutes of the first quarter. Both teams struggled shooting the ball but mid-way through the first quarter the Golden Eagles led 10-0 over the Comets.
The Comets missed their first 15 shots of the game, nine of those were three-pointers. After a scoreless nine minutes for the Comets, Heurung scored the first points for Mayville on a three- pointer with 1:03 remaining in the first quarter.
At the end of the first quarter, Minnesota Crookston led 23-3. Guidinger led the way with seven points for the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Crookston shot 44.4 percent on 8-of-18 shooting compared to the Comets 6.3 percent on 1-of-16 shooting in the first quarter.
The second quarter opened up with a Comets three-pointer from Blascziek. The Comets continued to look for the three-pointer to cut their deficit as they went on a 13-2 run to make the score 25-16 inf favor of Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles called a timeout with 4:46 left in the second quarter to regroup after the Comets cut the lead to 28-21. After the timeout Julia Peplinski (Fr., F, Hustiford, Wis.) make a quick layup after the Golden Eagles forced a turnover. Odor then made another layup as they looked to pull away but the Comets continued to chip away due to 12 points from Blascziek and eight points from Heurung . Guidinger and Michaelis both had nine points for the Golden Eagles. At the end of the first half the Golden Eagles led the Comets 38-27. In the second quarter, the Golden Eagles shot 7-of18 for 38.9 percent while the Comets shot 9-of-18 for 50 percent.
Blascziek and Cyan Hale quickly got the scoring started inthe third quarter making it a 38-31 game. Post put the Golden Eagles on the board. Both teams then went back and forth, making the score 44-36 Minnesota Crookston with 6:01 to go in the third quarter. The third quarter was played at a much faster tempo due to Mayville State heating up from the field and Minnesota Crookston doing everything in their power to maintain their lead. After both sides cooled off, Post put the Golden Eagles back on the board extending their lead to eight. Heading into the fourth quarter, Minnesota Crookston led 51-43.
Michaelis was fouled and made both of her free throws to start the fourth quarter. Two more free throws from Odor gave Minnesota Crookston a 10-point advatange. After a Mayville State timeout with 6:45 left in the game, Minnesota Crookston led Mayville State 57-47. Shortly after the timeout Mayville State cut the deficit to seven points on a Hale three-pointer. Minnesota Crookston answered back with a couple of big shots to make the score 62-50. Two big three pointers from Heurung gave the Comets their smallest deficit of the night bringing them within six points. The Minnesota Crookston defense made a huge turnover and Post scored a layup on a fast break to make the score 66-58 in favor of Minnesota Crookston. With under a minute to go, the Golden Eagles were able to get to the free throw line and capitalize by making the score 68-60. Hale then got to the line for the Comets making both free throws to make it a two-possession game. However, Minnesota Crookston would hold on for the 72-66 victory.
The Golden Eagles will look to keep their unbeaten mark intact as they make the trek to Bellingham, Wash., for the Linda Goodrich Classic. Minnesota Crookston takes on Saint Martin's Fri., Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m., and then will take on host Western Washington University Sat., Nov. 24 at 5 p.m.
