BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team overcame a 12-point half-time deficit to keep their undefeated season intact with a 70-65 win over Saint Martin's University Fri., Nov. 23. The game was the first for both teams at the Lynda Goodrich Classic at WECU Court at Carver Gym in Bellingham, Wash.

The Golden Eagles trailed 31-19 at the break after shooting just 30.8 percent from the field in the first half. Minnesota Crookston would turn the corner out of the locker room as they bested the Saints 41-34 in the final two stanzas. The Golden Eagles shot a remarkable 17-of-23 for 73.9 percent in the second half to pick up the victory.

The Golden Eagles move to 5-0 on the season, to make it their best start in their 20-year history in NCAA Division II. Minnesota Crookston has had a strong history in women's basketball, with the Golden Eagles making it to the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals three out of the previous four seasons. Saint Martins' falls to 1-3 with the loss. The Saints are a NCAA Division II foe out of Lacey, Wash. They play In the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC).

Minnesota Crookston was paced by the play of their seniors, who helped spearhead the second-half comeback. Caitlin Michaelis led the team with 18 points, including 15 second-half points. Isieoma Odor added 17 points and seven boards. Odor notched 13 points in the second frame. She fell short of a double-double for the first time on the 2018-19 season.

The Golden Eagles received major help off the bench. Paige Cornale (Fr., G, Oak Creek, Wis.) was instrumental with a season-high 11 points, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Stephanie McWilliams (Jr., G, Grand Forks, N.D.) was also key for Minnesota Crookston with 11 points on 4-of-4 from the field, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 3:18 remaining. McWilliams accounted for seven of the final 13 points for the Golden Eagles.

Kylie Post (Fr., G, Corcoran, Minn.) chipped in nine points and four assists.

Minnesota Crookston shot 25-of-49 from the field for 51.0 percent. The Golden Eagles were 8-of-19 for 42.1 percent from beyond the arc, with six of their treys coming in the second half. Minnesota Crookston was a perfect 12-of-12 from the foul line.

The Golden Eagles lost the battle on the glass 30-23, but they were able to force 18 turnovers for the Saints.

Saint Martin's shot 28-of-57 for 49.1 percent. The Saints were 5-of-10 from behind the three-point line for 50 percent. Saint Martin's went just 4-of-9 for 44.4 percent from the stripe.

The Saints were led by Makenna Schultz and Saniah Simpson-Patu with 16 points apiece. In addition, Fresno State University transfer Megan Nilsson added 14 points, while Eastern Michigan University transplant Jayla Russ chipped in eight points. Claire Dingus notched five points and eight rebounds.

Minnesota Crookston had a rocky start to the game as Saint Martin's jetted out to a 6-0 lead on a Simpson-Patu jumper. The Saints widened their lead to 12-2 on a jumper from Mercedes Victor. The Golden Eagles pulled within 12-6 on an Odor jumper. Saint Martin's used a Nilsson hoop to go into the quarter break with a 14-6 lead.

The Golden Eagles cut the deficit to six on an Odor bucket to open the second quarter. However, a Nilsson basket took the lead for the Saints out to 18-10 with 8:09 remaining in the stanza. Cornale drained a triple to cut the lead to 20-16 with 3:38 left in the half. The Saints responded with an 11-3 run ending with a Schultz trey to go into the locker room with a 31-19 lead.

Michaelis propelled Minnesota Crookston out of the gate in the second half as she tallied 11 points in the first four minutes of the third quarter. Michaelis helped the Golden Eagles cut the deficit to 39-33. A Simpson-Patu fast-break basket moved the advantage back out to 41-33 with 5:42 left in the frame. However, Minnesota Crookston did not let up, as they went on a 9-0 run to overtake the lead 42-41 with a Cornale three-pointer.
Saint Martin's quickly took the lead back as they ended the third quarter on a 10-4 run to go into the quarter break up 51-46.

The Saints opened the final stanza off with a jumper from Simpson-Patu to widen the gap to 53-46. Saint Martin's continued to hold the lead at 56-50 on a Simpson-Patu bucket with 7:18 remaining in the game. Minnesota Crookston kicked their comeback into high gear as a Post old-fashioned three-point play brought the Golden Eagles within 56-55 with 5:31 left in the tilt. A Simpson-Patu bucket pushed the lead back out to 58-55. However, Minnesota Crookston countered with a 5-0 run as they took the lead 60-58 as Grand Forks-native McWilliams sank a trey with 3:18 left in the contest. Victor knotted the game up 60-60 on the ensuing possession. The Golden Eagles came right back as they closed the tilt out on a 10-5 run, icing the win with a pair of McWilliams free throws with six seconds remaining. Minnesota Crookston took the first of two games at the Lynda Goodrich Classic 70-65.

The Golden Eagles look to continue their phenomenal start with a 7 p.m. C.T. tip against Western Washington University. The Vikings are 3-2 after edging out University of Mary 73-72 Friday night.