• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON  women's basketball team enters the weekend with an 0-2 mark as they opened the 2019-20 season with a pair of tough region losses to Nebraska Kearney and Northwest Missouri State. The Golden Eagles had their chances against Northwest Missouri State as they made a 7-0 run late to knot up the game 64-64 following a Julia Peplinski bucket with 23 seconds remaining. However, the Bearcats used two free throws with five seconds left to sink Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles did have positives to take away, including their post play and their rebounding as they look forward to the second weekend of non-conference play.

• ALOHA HAWAI'I. Minnesota Crookston is back in Hawai'i after a five-year hiatus. The Golden Eagles took part in the Malika Sports Tours Oahu Classic back in 2014 as they played both Hawai'i Pacific and Hawai'i Hilo.

• YOU'VE GOT A FREUND IN ME. Minnesota Crookston will look to get another great performance out of junior Ashley Freund, as the Jordan, Minn., native couldn't miss last Saturday against Northwest Missouri. Freund was an unblemished 4-of-4 from the field, 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe on her way to 13 points. Freund has always been outstanding defensively, but has continued to improve on the offensive end. The Golden Eagles will look for more strong performances from Freund.

• GIVE ME SOME PEP. Minnesota Crookston sophomore Julia Peplinski has continued to make strides for the Golden Eagles and that was evident with her performance off the bench in the opening weekend. Peplinski comes into Hawai'i averaging 9.5 points and 8.0 rebounds. Against Northwest Missouri State, the Hustisford, Wis., native had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Look for Julia Peplinski to continue to play well for the Golden Eagles.

• SOMETHING ABOUT MARY. The Golden Eagles have loved having Mary Burke back after she missed most of last season due to injury. The redshirt freshman has showcased her ability to have success in the paint and from beyond the arc, as she showed with 13 points on 5-of-9 from the field, and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc last Friday against Nebraska Kearney.

• TURN THE PAIGE.  Minnesota Crookston sophomore Paige Cornale has already had a strong start to her sophomore season. The Oak Creek, Wis., native had 11 points on 5-of-7 from the field last weekend against Nebraska Kearney. She also had a strong performance in exhibition play against North Dakota State with 12 points on 3-of-7 from the field.

• CRASH THE BOARDS.  The Golden Eagles have dominated on the boards in their first two games as they have outrebounded teams 40.5 to 28.5 coming into this weekend. The Golden Eagles obtained 20 offensive rebounds in the first week of play in Kearney, Neb. Fox leads the team with 8.5 rebounds per game, followed by Peplinski. Cornale comes in with 3.5 rebounds per tilt, while Freund and Burke are notching 3.0 rebounds per game.

• FIND THE THREE BALL.  Minnesota Crookston women's basketball teams have been notorious for their ability to hit the three-pointer. The Golden Eagles struggled in the opening week as they were just 9-of-32 for 28.1 percent, while opponents were 19-of-49 for 38.8 percent from distance. Minnesota Crookston will look for the three and look for hit them at a better success rate this weekend.

• CALL THE CARPENTER.  Minnesota Crookston freshman guard Emma Carpenter started the first two games of her career against Nebraska Kearney and Northwest Missouri State. The Eagan, Minn., native is great at creating for her teammates as she is averaging 2.5 assists per game coming into the weekend. Carpenter struggled on her own shooting, as she was just 1-of-7 from the field. Carpenter will look to continue to find her shot in Hawai'i.

• THE SHARK TANK.  The Golden Eagles are 1-0 all-time in "The Shark Tank", or the former St. Francis High School gym in Honolulu, Hawai'i. Minnesota Crookston picked up a 69-64 win over Hawai'i Hilo on Nov. 22, 2014 led by 14 points from Alexa Thielman, and 10 points from Ebony Livingston.

• LIMIT TURNOVERS.  The Golden Eagles will look to limit turnovers this weekend, as they struggled with that stat last weekend in Nebraska. Minnesota Crookston comes into Hawai'i averaging 17.0 turnovers, and forcing just 6.5 turnovers per game for the opponent. The Golden Eagles will look to flip that stat against Hawai'i Pacific and Chaminade.

• YOUNG ROSTER.  The Golden Eagles have a young roster this season, as of their top 10 players for minutes per game, only three players are juniors of seniors, while seven players are underclassmen as they are only sophomores or freshmen. The Golden Eagles started two sophomores, a redshirt freshman, a freshman, and a senior last weekend in Kearney, Neb.

• DEEP BENCH.  One of the key factors for Minnesota Crookston this season will be their deep bench. The Golden Eagle bench accounted for 40 points last Saturday against Northwest Missouri State. Minnesota Crookston has 10 players who are averaging over 15.0 minutes per game, while they could go as deep as 12 players right now. The Golden Eagles will look to use their deep bench against Hawai'i Pacific and Chaminade. 

HAWAI'I PACIFIC. Hawai'i Pacific University comes into the week with a 2-0 mark on the season. The Sharks posted a 23-9 mark during the 2018-19 season on their way to an appearance in the NCAA Division II West Regional. Hawai'i Pacific returns three starters from last season's squad. Thus far, the Sharks come in averaging 82.0 points per game, while allowing 78.0 points per tilt to their foes. Hawai'i Pacific is shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc. They are outrebounding teams 39.0 to 34.5.

AUSTRALIAN FLAVOR. The Sharks have a big presence from Australia on their roster, as they have six players from "the Land Down Under". Hawai'i Pacific is led by 5-11 junior guard Alysha Marcucci with 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. Amy Baum, who is also from Melbourne, Australia, is notching 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. Marcucci comes in shooting 53.8 percent from beyond the arc. Abbey Noblett, a native of Morwell, Australia, is notching 12.0 points and 6.0 boards per game. Ally Bates, Olivia West, and Ellena Taylor are also from Australia.

STARR OFF THE BENCH. Native Hawai'ian Starr Rivera has been crucial to the Sharks off the bench. The 5-5 guard is averaging 13.5 points per game and is shooting 62.5 percent from beyond the arc. Rivera started 15 games for Hawai'i Pacific last season, averaging 3.4 points per game.

REMATCH. Minnesota Crookston and Hawai'i Pacific last met Sun., Nov. 23, 2014 at Moanalua High School in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The Sharks won a highly contested game 85-77 using a big second half. Minnesota Crookston was led that day by Alexa Thielman with 24 points, while Katrina (Moenkedick) Nordick had 12 points. The Sharks were led by Kylie Huerta with 24 points, while Chenise Peone added 19 points.

CHAMINADE. The Chaminade Silverswords have an 0-2 mark falling to No. 16 Alaska Anchorage and Alaska. Chaminade posted a 7-19 mark during the 2018-19 slate. The Silverswords are in the PacWest Conference. Chaminade is averaging 46.0 points per game, while allowing 92.5 points per tilt to their foes. Chaminade is shooting 26.6 percent from the field and 18.4 percent from three-point range. The Silverswords are shooting 64.3 percent from the foul line. Chaminade has been outrebounded 42.5 to 37.0 on the boards.

CHASING DESTINY. Destiny Castro, a native of Talofofo, Guam, has been the leader for the Silverswords. Castro averaged 20.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game during the 2018-19 season. She is tallying 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game this season.

HEADING TO CHEYENNE. 6-1 sophomore Cheyenne Ardonna has been the inside presence for Chaminade this season. Ardonna is notching 8.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Ardonna has come into an increased role from last season, as she started six games last season and averaged 1.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

UNDER THE HILL. Grace Underhill comes into the weekend averaging 7.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Underhill is a sophomore forward from River Forest, Ill. She also has an increased role from last season after starting three games and averaging 2.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game last season.

OAHU CLASSIC. Minnesota Crookston is competing in the Malika Sports Oahu Classic, which runs Nov. 15-Dec. 20. The Golden Eagles, Chaminade, Hawai'i Pacific, Hawai'i Hilo, Sioux Falls, Minnesota State, Cal State San Marcos, UC San Diego, Mid America Nazarene, Alaska Anchorage, Menlo, Northwest Missouri State, and Lindenwood Belleville represent the field for the 2019 Oahu Classic. All games at the Oahu Classic are being played at The Shark Tank, the former St. Francis High School, in the Manoa neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawai'i. 

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

- Can the Golden Eagles find more success from beyond the arc?

- Can Minnesota Crookston limit the three-point shooting from Alysha Marcucci of Hawai'i Pacific?

- Will Minnesota Crookston continue to be dominant on the boards?

- Can the Golden Eagles force Chaminade into turnovers on Saturday?

- Will Minnesota Crookston be able to limit Destiny Castro for Chaminade?

- Can the Golden Eagles continue to get great bench production this weekend?

- Will Minnesota Crookston be able to have a high-scoring game against Hawai'i Pacific?

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
Projected Starters
Fr. PG 21 Emma Carpenter (5-10, Eagan, Minn.) 1.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.5 APG
So. SG 24 Paige Cornale (5-10, Oak Creek, Wis.) 8.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG
Sr. 3G 32 Paige Weakley (5-9, Kearney, Mo.) 2.0 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 1.5 APG
R-Fr. SF 22 Mary Burke (5-11, Virginia, Minn.) 8.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.5 APG
So. PF 23 Bren Fox (6-3, Norwood Young America, Minn.) 17.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG

Top Bench Players
So. F/C 31 Julia Peplinski (5-10, Hustisford, Wis.) 9.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.5 APG
Jr. G/F 10 Ashley Freund (5-11, Jordan, Minn.) 13.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG
Jr. G/F 12 Abby Guidinger (5-10, Waukesha, Wis.) 5.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG
So. G 5 Kylie Post (5-7, Corcoran, Minn.) 2.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.5 APG
Fr. G 15 Mattea Vetsch (5-8, Devils Lake, N.D.) 4.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG

HAWAI'I PACIFIC
Projected Starters
So. PG 3 Amy Baum (5-7, Melbourne, Australia) 18.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 6.5 APG
Fr. SG 10 Theresa Spatzier (5-9, Heidelberg, Germany) 3.5 PPG, 1.5 RPG
So. 3G 11 Abbey Noblett (5-10, Morwell, Australia) 12.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.5 APG
Jr. SF 4 Alysha Marcucci (5-11, Melbourne, Australia) 22.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.0 APG
Jr. PF 20 Makenna Gambee (6-0, Hillsboro, Ore.) 3.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG

Top Bench Players
Sr. G 30 Starr Rivera (5-5, Honolulu, Hawai'i) 13.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG
So. G 0 Ally Bates (5-9, Melbourne, Australia) 6.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG
Fr. G 21 Avery Cargill (5-6, Santa Rose, Calif.) 1.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG

CHAMINADE
Projected Starters
Sr. PG 10 Destiny Castro (5-6, Talofofo, Guam) 8.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG
R-Sr. SG 12 Breann Nueku (5-6, Honolulu, Hawai'i) 4.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG
So. 3G 2 Ellyonna Bankofier (5-9, Happy Valley, Ore.) 3.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.5 APG
So. SF 21 Arianna Blowe (5-11, Monument, Colo.) 4.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG
So. PF 33 Cheyenne Ardona (6-1, Mililani, Hawai'i) 8.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
Top Bench Players
So. F 34 Grace Underhill (5-11, River Forest, Ill.) 7.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG
So. G 4 Michaella Dean (5-7, Irvine, Calif.) 6.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG
Fr. C 23 Kayley Elliott (6-2, Creswell, Ore.) 5.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG
So. G 24 Jamia Bailey (5-3, Yokosuka, Japan) 0.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG