CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team used a strong defensive performance and clutch free throws to prevail over Northern State University by a score of 61-54. The win over the Wolves marks the first win for the Golden Eagles over their NSIC North nemesis since Jan. 15, 2013. Minnesota Crookston held a team under 60 points for the third time this season.
Minnesota Crookston matches their best start in program history as they move to 7-2 (2-1 NSIC) with Saturday's win. Northern State falls to 3-5 (1-2 NSIC) with the loss.

The Golden Eagles top scorers from last night picked up right where they left off and the bench provided a big spark knocking down big shots. Isieoma Odor (R-Sr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.) had another big night scoring 17 points and adding eight rebounds. Odor was 3-of-6 shooting from the field and 11-out-of-12 at the charity stripe. Odor finished the weekend averaging 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds over the two games this weekend. She remains seventh all-time on the all-time scoring list and third all-time in rebounds. Odor needs 47 points to surpass Brittani Wiese for sixth all-time in points and 70 boards to move past Laurie Tyson for second in a career in rebounds.

Caitlin Michaelis (Sr. G, Marshfield, Wis.) contributed 13 points and was 3-out-of-8 from beyond the arc, she tallied three assists as well. Kylie Post (Fr., G, Corcoran, Minn.) added nine points along with four rebounds. Bren Fox (Fr., F/C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) tallied a career-high six points and six rebounds in her first career start.

The Golden Eagles were 16-out-of-41 for 36.4 percent from the field. Minnesota Crookston was also 6-out-of-17 from beyond the arc for 35.3 percent. The Golden Eagles shot 23-out-of-28 for 82.1 percent from the free throw line.

Northern State was led by Lexi Wadsworth scoring 18 points and adding seven rebounds. Brianna Kusler added nine points and nine rebounds as well for the Wolves.

Northern State shot 20-out-of-60 from the field for 33.3 percent. The Wolves were 7-out-of-23 for 30.4 percent from the three-point line. Northern State was 7-out-of-11 from the free throw line on the night.
Northern State won the battle on the glass. The Wolves out-rebounded the Golden Eagles 42-30.

Fox put the Golden Eagles on the board with a strong layup. Both teams traded points each scoring on the first three possessions. The first eight points came from Post and Fox. Michaelis joined in on the scoring adding a three-pointer. With five minutes left in the first quarter Minnesota Crookston and Northern State were tied 11-11. The Golden Eagles went on an 8-3 run thanks to big shots from Odor and Abby Guidinger (SO., G/F, Waukesha, Wis.) to make the score 19-14 with a little over two minutes to go. Wadsworth led scoring for the Wolves with eight points. The Golden Eagles were led by Odor and Michaelis who both had six points in the first quarter. Post and Fox also added four points. At the end of the first quarter, Minnesota Crookston led Northern State 23-20.

Kylie Post got to the free throw line twice early in the second quarter and made 3-out-of-4 free throws to extend the Golden Eagles lead to 26-20. Anika Fredrick scored the first points for the Wolves. With five minutes left in the second quarter Minnesota Crookston led 30-26. After a Tori Mekash three-pointer Northern State cut the deficit to just one point at 30-29. A mid-range jumper from Kusler gave Northern State a 32-30 lead. A stout Minnesota Crookston defense caused back to back turnovers, then Michaelis answered with a three pointer giving the Golden Eagles the lead going into half time. At the half Minnesota Crookston led Northern State 33-32.

Northern State's Wadsworth scored the first points of the third quarter for either side. Odor got fouled on a layup and converted both free throws to put the Golden Eagles on the board. Isieoma Odor gave Minnesota Crookston a 37-36 lead on a strong layup then Kylea Praska (Fr., G, Thief River Falls, Minn.) to extend the lead to 40-36. The Golden Eagles jumped out to an eight point lead thanks to a big three-pointer from Abby Guidinger. Northern State battled back to cut into the deficit as time expired. At the end of the third quarter, Minnesota Crookston was up 47-44 over Northern State.

Both sides really struggled shooting the ball at the start of the fourth quarter. After almost two minutes of no scoring Post was fouled but missed both free throws keeping the score at 47-44. Brooke Luitjens put the first points on the board with a three-pointer. Odor was able to get to the free throw line where she would continue to stay perfect as she knocked down both free throws. With 6:51 left in the game Minnesota Crookston led 50-47. Mekash made a three-pointer and tied the game at 50-50 with a little over five minutes left. Minnesota Crookston played lock-down defense and made it tough for them to get clean shots off. Michaelis made a big shot giving Minnesota Crookston a 52-50 lead. Kusler made a contested layup for the Wolves tying the game at 52-52. Two free throws from Michaelis gave Minnesota Crookston the lead again. Kusler tied it up again with two free throws of her own. With just under a minute left Odor drew a foul and making 1-out-of-2 free throws. Stephanie McWilliams (Jr., G, Grand Forks, N.D.) made two big free throws to make the score 57-54 with 37.9 seconds left. Later on, Fox grabbed a big rebound on a missed three-point attempt and was fouled. At the line she made both free throws to put the game out of reach. The Golden Eagles beat Northern State by a score of 61-54.

Minnesota Crookston returns to action Sat., Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D.