Crookston, Minn.-- Winona State used a big fourth quarter surge in the fourth quarter to come back and beat Minnesota Crookston 76-64. Despite the tough loss tonight was a historic night for the Golden Eagles. Isieoma Odor (R-Sr., F/C, Bloomington, Minn.) grabbed 12 rebounds which makes her first all time for Minnesota Crookston. She passed Katrina Nordick with her eleventh rebound on the night. Paige Weakley (So., G/F, Kearney, Mo.) also tied the school record for most three pointers made with seven.
Minnesota Crookston falls to 9-8 (4-7 NSIC) with Friday's loss. Winona State improves to 8-7 (6-5 NSIC) with Friday night's win.
Minnesota Crookston was led by Isy Odor who had 21 points and 12 rebounds on the night. Odor was 7-out-of-13 from the field. She was also 7-out-of-9 from the free throw line. Congratulations to Isy Odor as she passed Katrina Nordick for rebounds all time in Minnesota Crookston history.
Paige Weakley had a big night as well as she set a new career high with 21 points. Paige Weakley was 7-out-of-12 from the field. All of her points came off the three ball as she made seven three pointers which tied a school record.
The Golden eagles were 21-out-of-61 for 34.4 percent from the field. Minnesota Crookston was 9-out-of-27 for 33.3 percent from beyond the arch. The Golden Eagles were also 13-of-15 from the charity stripe on the night as well.
Winona State was 26-out-of-62 for 41.9 percent from the field. They were also 6-out-of-13 for 46.2 percent from the three-point line. The warriors were 18-of-20 from the free-throw line for 90 percent on the night.
Winona State out rebounded Minnesota Crookston 42-36 on the night.
The Warriors were led offensively by Emily Kieck with 23 points and six rebounds. Rachel Novotny added 13 points and seven rebounds for Winona State. Kayla Schaefer also tallied 11 points and five rebounds for the Warriors.
Winona State won the tip-off and quickly scored on a basket from Rachel Novotny. Bren Fox (Fr., C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) answered with two jumpers from the free throw line to make the score 4-4. Paige Weakley then made a three pointer to give the Golden Eagles their first lead of the night. With just under four minutes gone in the first quarter the Golden Eagles led Winona State 7-6. After a media timeout Abby Guidinger (So., G/F, Waukesha, Wis.) got on the board with a three pointer then Winona State answered with a three pointer of their own. With a little over two minutes in the first quarter left Winona State regained the lead making the score 13-12. At the end of the first quarter the Warriors led the Golden Eagles 17-14.
Isy Odor made two quick layups to open up the second quarter making the score 19-18 Minnesota Crookston. Paige Weakley added a couple three pointers and the Golden Eagles offense settled into a good rhythm. With a little over three minutes left in the second quarter the Golden Eagles led 26-25. Weakley had a huge second quarter scoring 12 points all on three pointers. Minnesota Crookston and Winona State were tied 32-32 at the end of the half. Paige Weakley led the way scoring 15 points for the Golden Eagles. The warriors were led by Julia Silloway and Kayla Schaefer with six points a piece.
The warriors were the first ones on the board with a free throw from Taylor Hustad. Isy Odor scored the first points for the Golden Eagles in the third quarter. Stephanie McWilliams (Jr., G, Grand Forks, N.D.) hit a three pointer to give the Golden Eagles a 37-36 lead. After a media timeout with a little over four minutes left the Golden Eagles led the Warriors 39-38. After a minute of both sides not scoring Isy Odor made a contested lay-up and got fouled in the process where she hit her free throw to get the old-fashioned three-point play. Paige Weakley then came back and down and nailed another three pointer to make the score 46-38. After another three pointer from Paige Weakley and two free throws from Paige Cornale (Fr., G, Oak Creek, Wis.) the Golden Eagles led the Warriors 53-42 at the end of the third quarter.
Isy Odor scored the first points of the fourth quarter and grabbed her eleventh rebound of the night breaking the school record. Winona State closed the gap and managed to make the score 59-57 with just under five minutes left in the game. Isy Odor go to the free throw line after the time out and made both free throws to extend the Golden Eagles lead to 61-57. Rachel Novotny responded with a layup and which cut the deficit to just two. She then went to the free throw line next possession and made both free throws which gave Winona State a 63-61 lead. Isy Odor got fouled again and drained both free throws to tie the game at 63-63. Winona State started to pull away when Emily Kieck made a contested layup and got fouled in the process which gave Winona State a 68-63 lead with a little over a minute to play. After two Winona State free throws they led Minnesota Crookston 72-63. The Golden Eagles made every attempt to come back and win but free throws helped the Warriors maintain their lead.
The Golden Eagles will host Upper Iowa Sat, Jan. 19 at 3:30 p.m.
