•  The Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team is set to open up their 2019 slate at the friendly confines of Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn., as they take on St. Cloud State University Fri., Jan. 4 at 5:30 p.m., and University of Minnesota Duluth Sat., Jan. 5 at 3:30 p.m. The Golden Eagles are looking to build on their 8-4 (3-3 NSIC) start to the season. It will be an important weekend in the standings for the Golden Eagles. They are currently tied with St. Cloud State for fourth in the NSIC North, while Minnesota Duluth is just ahead of Minnesota Crookston in a tie for second place in the NSIC North. The Golden Eagles last defeated St. Cloud State Jan. 7, 2017 in Crookston, Minn. Minnesota Crookston last picked up a win over the Bulldogs Jan. 10, 2016 in Crookston, Minn.

•  GREAT START. The Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team has opened up the 2018-19 season with a 8-4 mark, their best start to a campaign since the 2015-16 season. The Golden Eagles opened up the 2015-16 season with a 9-3 mark before going on to a school-record 18 wins. The Golden Eagles are currently 3-3 in the NSIC. Minnesota Crookston is coming off a 73-63 win over Bemidji State University Dec. 30 to earn a season sweep of the Beavers. The Golden Eagles extended their mark to 11-3 during the 2015-16 season after playing their 13th and 14th games. 

• TRY AND SLOW HER DOWN. Isieoma Odor has been off to one of the greatest starts a Golden Eagle player has had in program history as evidenced by her school-record four selections as NSIC North Player of the Week in just seven weeks. Odor is leading the team with 19.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Odor is currently second in the league in scoring, and seventh in rebounding. She has scored in double figures in all 12 of Minnesota Crookston's games this season, and has secured four double-doubles. Odor is coming off her two-best scoring performances in her career, as she tallied 29 points in a loss to Wayne State College, and 28 points in a win over Bemidji State. Odor recently surpassed Brittani Wiese for sixth all-time on the Minnesota Crookston career charts. She needs 16 points to surpass Kari Score for fifth all-time. Odor needs 47 rebounds to surpass Laurie Tyson for second all-time, and 49 rebounds to surpass Katrina Nordick for the school-record for boards.

• TURN THE PAIGE. Minnesota Crookston junior Paige Weakley has had two-straight strong performances for the Golden Eagles on the offensive end. Weakley is averaging 11.5 points per game in the last two for Minnesota Crookston, while shooting 5-of-11 from beyond the arc for 45.5 percent. Weakley has been crucial for the Golden Eagles from beyond the arc, where she is hitting at a 37.1 percent clip. Weakley started out the season strong by averaging 8.3 points per game through the first three tilts. However, in the next seven games she didn't score more than three points. She seems to have found her groove again from beyond the arc, and will look to build upon that this weekend.

• THE LAST I IS SILENT. The last I might be silent in Caitlin Michaelis' last name, but she has been anything but silent as a senior for the Golden Eagles. The Marshfield, Wis., native is off to her best start for the Golden Eagles as she is averaging 14.3 points per game. Michaelis has been strong from beyond the arc, where she is hitting at a 36.5 percent clip. Her best games came with 19 points against Valley City State University, and at Western Washington University. Michaelis has tallied double figures in 10-of-12 games this season. Michaelis has now scored 731 career points in her four seasons in the Maroon and Gold.

• POST GAME. Her name is Kylie Post, she not play in the post, but it has become important to get the ball to her in her inaugural campaign for the Golden Eagles. Post leads the team with 2.4 assists per game and has helped get the rest of the offense involved for Minnesota Crookston. In addition, Post is phenomenal at generating her own offense, especially when it involves getting to the hoop. Post is notching 10.3 points per game in her inaugural campaign. She has tallied double-figure scoring in six games this season for Minnesota Crookston. Post hasn't attempted many three-pointers this season, but has found success, as she is hitting 42.9 percent of her shots on the year.

• HOME SWEET HOME.  Minnesota Crookston comes into Sunday with a 4-1 mark in the friendly confines of Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles only loss at home came Dec. 7, 2018 to the NSIC North Division leader Minnesota State University Moorhead. 

• DEFENSE WINS GAMES. Minnesota Crookston's defense has been strong overall this season, as they are holding teams to just 69.2 points per game this season. The Golden Eagles are 7-0 this season when holding the opposing team under 70 points. Opponents are shooting 41.6 percent against Minnesota Crookston this season. A key has been their three-point defense, as they are limiting teams to just 30.2 percent from beyond the arc. 

• THE NEXT PAIGE.  Minnesota Crookston has two Paige's on their squad this season in Paige Weakley and Paige Cornale. The younger Paige, Paige Cornale has continued to show signs of what is to come in her young career. Cornale had five big points off the bench in the win over Bemidji State, as she showed her ability to get to the hoop. Cornale also had 11 points earlier this season against Saint Martin's. A key for the Oak Creek, Wis., native will be consistency as she continues to get acclimated to the college game. 

• DEAR ABBY.  Golden Eagle sophomore Abby Guidinger has a unique skill-set with an inside-out game that she brings to Minnesota Crookston's offense. Guidinger came up big against Bemidji State, as she tallied nine points off the bench to help the Golden Eagles to a win. On the season, Guidinger has tallied double-figure scoring on four occasions. She is notching 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds on the season. She will look to continue to be a threat for the Golden Eagles heading into the weekend.

ST. CLOUD STATE HUSKIES. St. Cloud State enters the weekend with a 6-4 (3-3 NSIC) mark. The Huskies come into the weekend in a tie with the Golden Eagle for fourth place in the NSIC North. St. Cloud State lost to Minnesota Duluth 59-54 on Dec. 30 in their last time on the floor. St. Cloud State is averaging 64.0 points per game, but allowing just 54.6 points per tilt to their opponents. The Huskies are shooting 39.5 percent from the field, 31.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 73.8 percent from the foul line. 

MADDIE AND MALLIE. Madelin Dammann, and Mallie Doucette have been the two primary scorers for the St. Cloud State offense this season. Dammann comes in averaging 12.1 points per game, while shooting 40.8 percent from beyond the arc. Doucette is coming off the bench for 11.0 points per game. Both players will be major factors this weekend for the Huskies. 

WORTZ CASE SCENARIO. Tori Wortz has been a key for the Huskies this season with 9.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for the Huskies. Wortz is coming off a season-high 18 points against Minnesota Duluth Dec. 30. She has scored double figures in four games this season. 

NIKKI IN THE POST. Nikki Kilboten has been the key in the post for St. Cloud State this season. The 6-2 sophomore is notching 7.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season. Kilboten tallied a season-high 15 points earlier this season against Southwest Minnesota State. She added 14 rebounds to complete a double-double for the game. Kilboten has been crucial in the last four games for the Huskies as she is notching 10.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during that time.

MINNESOTA DULUTH BULLDOGS. Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend with a 6-3 (5-1 NSIC) record. The Bulldogs took their last game 59-54 over St. Cloud State. Minnesota Duluth has historically been a tough win to get for the Golden Eagles, as the Bulldogs are 31-3 in the NCAA Division II era against Minnesota Crookston. The Bulldogs are not a high-scoring team, just scoring 59.9 points per game, but they are limiting teams to just 53.6 points per tilt. Minnesota Duluth is shooting 37.9 percent from the field, 31.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 72.4 percent from the foul line.

SHUT DOWN SAMMY. A key for the Golden Eagles will be keeping an eye and trying to limit guard Sammy Kozlowski for the Bulldogs. Kozlowski leads the team with 11.7 points per game. She is also notching 4.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Kozlowski is shooting 32.3 percent from beyond the arc, to make her a threat from beyond the arc. Her best game came with 25 points against UMary. She has notched double figures in six games this season.

GO GROW. Sarah Grow has been vital in the post for Minnesota Duluth, where she is notching 10.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Grow tallied 20 points Dec. 15 against Southwest Minnesota State. She has notched two double-doubles on the season. Grow was held to just four points in the win over St. Cloud State. She has continued to be crucial on the glass, where she is notching 9.5 boards per tilt in the last four games. 

OLSON ON-FIRE. Brooke Olson is coming off one of her best games as a Bulldog. The freshman came off the bench for a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds in the win over St. Cloud State. Olson has three games this year where she has scored in double figures. Olson is also a threat from distance, where she is hitting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Mike Roysland
Record at UMC: 121-217 Season at UMC: 13th Season

St. Cloud State Huskies
Head Coach: Lori Fish
Record at SCSU: 155-129 Season at SCSU: 11th Season

Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
Head Coach: Mandy Pearson
Record at UMD: 43-47 Season at UMD: Fourth Season

St. Cloud State at Minnesota Crookston
Date: Jan. 4, 2019
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Site: Lysaker Gymnasium (Crookston, Minn.)
Live Stats: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/
Officials: Chad Palmer, Jaden Pfeifer, Rob Bissonette
Last: St. Cloud State won 70-54 in St. Cloud, Minn., Jan. 6, 2018
Trends: St. Cloud State has won the last two games in the series
Series: St. Cloud State leads 20-7
Radio: 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM or www.kroxam.com, or on the app

Minnesota Duluth at Minnesota Crookston
Date: Jan. 5, 2019
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Site: Lysaker Gymnasium (Crookston, Minn.)
Live Stats: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/
Officials: Rick Baker, Joseph Guidarelli, Ivan Hirst
Last: Minnesota Duluth won 73-65 Jan. 5, in Duluth, Minn.
Trends: Minnesota Duluth has won the last four games
Series: Minnesota Duluth leads 31-3
Radio: 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM or www.kroxam.com, or on the app

Minnesota Crookston
Projected Starters
Fr. PG 5 Kylie Post (5-7, Corcoran, Minn.)   10.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.4 APG
Sr. SG 3 Caitlin Michaelis (5-8, Marshfield, Wis.) 14.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.2 APG
Jr. 3G 32 Paige Weakley (5-9, Kearney, Mo.) 5.3 PPG, 2.2 RPG
R-Sr. SF 15 Isieoma Odor (6-0, Bloomington, Minn.) 19.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG
Fr. PF 23 Bren Fox (6-3, Norwood Young America, Minn.) 2.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG
Top Bench Players
So. G/F 12 Abby Guidinger (5-10, Waukesha, Wis.) 8.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG
Jr. G 4 Stephanie McWilliams (5-8, Grand Forks, N.D.) 3.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG
Fr. G 11 Kylea Praska (5-8, Thief River Falls, Minn.) 3.1 PPG, 1.1 RPG
So. G/F 10 Ashley Freund (5-11, Jordan, Minn.) 1.0 PPG, 1.4 RPG

St. Cloud State
Projected Starters
R-Sr. PG 3 Mackenzie Uter (5-6, Howard Lake, Minn.) 3.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.9 APG 
So. SG 2 Tori Wortz (5-8, Hutchinson, Minn.) 9.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG
Jr. 3G 4 Madelin Dammann (5-9, Waconia, Minn.) 12.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG
Fr. SF 45 Katrina Theis (5-11, Maple Grove, Minn.) 8.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG
So. PF 40 Nikki Kilboten (6-2, Eau Claire, Wis.) 7.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG
Top Bench Players
R-Sr. G 11 Mallie Doucette (5-6, Colfax, Wis.) 11.0 PPG, 1.9 RPG
Fr. G 10 Brehna Evans (5-8, De Pere, Wis.) 3.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG
So. G/F 21 Jocelyn Johnson (6-0, Lakeville, Minn.) 1.8 PPG, 1.1 RPG

Minnesota Duluth
Projected Starters
Sr. PG 23 Sammy Kozlowski (5-9, New Berlin, Wis.) 11.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.0 APG
So. SG 11 Ann Simonet (5-7, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) 5.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG
Sr. SF 33 Emma Boehm (5-11, Eden Prairie, Minn.) 7.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG
Jr. PF 31 Katie Stark (5-11, Hayward, Wis.) 6.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG
So. C 42 Sarah Grow (6-2, Circle Pines, Minn.) 10.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG
Top Bench Players
Fr. F 24 Brooke Olson (6-2, Rice Lake, Wis.) 7.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG
So. G/F 21 Payton Kahl (6-1, Stoughton, Wis.) 6.8 PPG, 1.8 RPG
Fr. G 32 Maesyn Thiesen (5-7, Sauk Centre, Minn.) 2.3 PPG, 1.1 RPG

#5StoryLines
1. Can the Golden Eagles overcome two very strong defenses this weekend?

2. Can Odor continue her great start to her senior season?

3. Can the Golden Eagles get strong three-point shooting on the weekend?

4. Who will step up for Minnesota Crookston off the bench?

5. Can the Golden Eagles limit Sammy Kozlowski for UMD and Madelin Dammann for SCSU?