CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball fell to Northern State University 81-57. The Golden Eagles played a great first half but Northern State proved to be too much as they capitalized on Golden Eagle mistakes Fri. Feb. 9 at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn.

The Golden Eagles went back and forth with the Wolves in the first half and ended the half down by eight, but the second half was a completely different story as Northern State shot the ball well and played stout defense. Northern State also out rebounded Minnesota Crookston 35-17 on the glass tonight. The Wolves would best the Golden Eagles 25-14 in the third quarter as they raced to the victory in the second half.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 6-17 (6-13 NSIC) with Friday's loss. With Friday's win Northern State improves to 21-4 (16-3 NSIC). The Wolves have had Minnesota Crookston's number with 11-straight victories. The last win for the Golden Eagles over Northern State came Jan. 5, 2013.

The Golden Eagles were led offensively by Micaela Noga with 15 points seven assist and four rebounds. Noga need just three points to move past Cathy Behr for eighth all-time in scoring. Isieoma Odor(R-Jr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.) and Abby Guidinger(Fr., G/F Waukesha, Wis.) both contributed 12 points and two rebounds for the Golden Eagles. Emily Gruber (Sr., F/C, Monticello, Minn.) finished with five points. Gruber needs 65 points to move past 1,000 career points.

Haley Froelich led the way for Northern State with 20 points and seven rebounds. Brianna Kusler added 17 points along with three rebounds. Jill Conrad had 14 points along with four assist and three rebounds, while Miranda Ristau had 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Alexis Tappe came off the bench for 13 points.

The Golden Eagles shot 19-of-44 from the field for 43.3 percent. They shot 10-of-22 from beyond the arc for 45.5 percent. They only shot 9-of-13 for 69.2 percent at the free throw line.
The Wolves were 34-of-59 from the field for 57.6 percent. They shot 8-of-13 from beyond the arc for 61.5 percent. The Wolves also went 5-of-6 from the free throw line for 83.3 percent.

Northern State won the tip-off and quickly got the scoring started with two free throws from Ristau. Paige Weekley (So., G/F, Kearney, Mo.) hit a three pointer, which sparked the Golden Eagles offense. Noga then made a three pointer to make the score 7-6 Northern State. Northern State went on a 7-0 run soon after due to poor shooting and turnovers by Minnesota Crookston. Guidinger stopped the run with a three-pointer as the Golden Eagles remained hot from behind the arc. That brought the score to 18-9 Northern State with 2:32 left in the first quarter. With 1:50 left Noga made a tough layup while getting fouled but missed the free throw for the three-point play. Northern State kept adding to their lead with consistent shooting and strong defense as they led 20-11 with under one minute left in the first quarter. Odor went to the line hitting both of her free throws then made a big block on the defensive end. As time was winding down Odor made a layup to end the quarter, making the score 20-15 Northern State.

The Golden Eagles continued to cut into their deficit as Noga scored the first basket of the second quarter bringing the Golden Eagles within three points. The Wolves looked to Tappe and Conrad for big shots as the Wolves extended their lead to 32-21. The Golden Eagles remained aggressive and had clutch back-to-back three-pointers from Gruber and Guidinger to bring them within five points. Gruber made a big shot to make the score 32-29 Northern State but two free throws from Conrad gave the Wolves a five point lead. Noga brought the Golden Eagles within two points with another big three- pointer to make the score 34-32 Northern State. Soon after that, Northern State regained control to end the half making the score 42-34.

Conrad got the scoring started with a jump shot as the third quarter got started. Odor got the scoring going for the Golden Eagles as she went one-for-two from the free throw line. Northern State got out to their biggest lead of the night after a Tappe layup made the score 53-37.

Northern State kept the momentum going with an old-fashioned three-point play from Ristau after she made a tough layup while being fouled and converting the free throw afterwards. Froelich put the Wolves up by 20 with a mid-range jumper as the third quarter was winding down. With a few seconds left Odor stole the ball and made rocketed the ball off the backboard for a half-court shot buzzer beater to make the score 67-48.

Once again Conrad got the scoring started in the low post for Northern State as the quarter opened up. A three-pointer from Froelich made the score 78-54 Northern with 5:43 left in the game. Guidinger got to the line but went one-for-two. Guidinger gave the Golden Eagles gave a spark as she got a steal and went coast to coast finishing with a layup. Paige Weekley then made a three pointer. The Golden Eagles fought hard but fell to Northern State 89-65.

Minnesota Crookston will return to action Sat., Feb. 10 as they close out their 2017-18 home slate against Minnesota State University Moorhead. The game will be the final home game of the careers for Noga and Gruber. Minnesota Crookston will also honor their alumni at the game.