• The Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team enters the weekend with a 10-12 (5-11 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles are currently in a three-way tie for fifth place in the NSIC North. The Golden Eagles are looking to get back on track after losing four-straight on the road. Minnesota Crookston returns home where they have posted a 6-3 mark at Lysaker Gymnasium this season. The Golden Eagles come into the weekend averaging 67.5 points per game, and allowing 70.8 points per tilt. Minnesota Crookston is shooting 41.0 percent from the field, 32.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 75.5 percent from the charity stripe.

•  WRANGLING THE MAVERICKS. The Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team has lost their last two games against Minnesota State, but the Golden Eagles have found success against the Mavericks. Prior to the two-straight losses, the Golden Eagles had won three of the last four games in the series. 

• BATTLE OF THE GOLDENS. The Golden Eagles and the Golden Bears will tip-off this Saturday. Minnesota Crookston has found recent success in the series as the Golden Eagles have won three of the last four tilts against Concordia-St. Paul. Minnesota Crookston will look to keep that trend alive this weekend.

• ISY DOES IT. Minnesota Crookston redshirt senior Isieoma Odor has been off to one of the best seasons any player has had in the history of the Golden Eagle women's basketball program. Odor is third in the league, averaging 18.3 points per game. She is seventh in the conference with 8.7 rebounds per game. Odor also continues to move up the all-time charts for the Golden Eagles. She is fifth all-time in scoring for the Golden Eagles with 1,403 points. Odor needs 57 points to surpass her former teammate Alexa Thielman for fourth all-time on the scoring charts. In addition, she set the school record for rebounds recently. Odor surpassed Laurie Tyson for second, and Katrina Nordick, her former teammate, for the all-time record. Odor has 729 career rebounds in her time in the Maroon and Gold.

• THE LAST I IS SILENT. The last I may be silent in the last name of Caitlin Michaelis (my-kulls), but she has been anything but silent this season. The senior comes into the weekend averaging 11.1 points per game. Michaelis has been strong from outside the arc, where she is hitting at a 32.0 percent clip. Michaelis had a career-high 21 points, including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc Jan. 11 at Northern State University. She has had 14 games where she has scored in double figures.

• PAIGE TURNER.  Paige Cornale has really turned the page on her freshman season in recent weeks, as she has become a crucial player for the Golden Eagles. Cornale has started the last three games for the Golden Eagles, as she has worked her way into the top five for Minnesota Crookston. Cornale is averaging 7.0 points per game in the last 11 games. Cornale is notching 8.0 points per game over the last five tilts. Cornale had a career-high 14 points last Friday at Southwest Minnesota State. She is shooting 42.1 percent from beyond the arc on the season.

• POST GAME.  Kylie Post, might not play center, but she is quite the "Post" presence this season. She has been able to get to the hoop and distribute to her opponents to create for her teammates. Post is averaging 8.9 points and 2.3 assists per game this season. Post had 18 points last Saturday against Sioux Falls. She has notched nine games with 10 or more points as a freshman for the Golden Eagles.

• AMBER WAVES. Minnesota Crookston junior forward Amber Schoenicke has made a strong impact off the bench he last two weekends for the Golden Eagles. Schoenicke is averaging 3.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in the last four tilts. Schoenicke had five points and three rebounds against Southwest Minnesota State. 

• KYLEA ON THE PROWL. Kylea Praska, a Thief River Falls, Minn., native, continues to improve throughout her freshman season. Praska had six points, including going 2-of-2 from beyond the arc last weekend against Southwest Minnesota State. The former Prowler is 16-of-40 for 40.0 percent from beyond the arc on the 2018-19 season.

•  DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE. The Golden Eagles have found success when they have been able to keep opponents under 70 points this season. Minnesota Crookston is 9-2 when holding opponents under the 70-point mark. The Golden Eagles have held teams to 70.8 points per game this season. Their opponents are shooting 41.0 percent from the field, and 32.4 percent from beyond the arc on the season.

•  SINK THE FREE ONES.  Minnesota Crookston is ranked second in the conference when it comes to free throw shooting. The Golden Eagles are hitting at a 75.5 percent clip from the line this season. Paige Cornale, and Stephanie McWilliams all have over 10 attempts, and are shooting over 90-percent from the charity stripe.  Caitlin Michaelis comes in shooting 86.0 percent from the charity stripe. Isieoma Odor has the most attempts from the line, and is hitting at a 76.4 percent clip. Needless to say, Minnesota Crookston is hoping to get to the line this weekend and make it pay off. 

•  HOME SWEET HOME.  Minnesota Crookston is 6-3 at Lysaker Gymnasium on the 2018-19 season. The Golden Eagles have enjoyed their time at their friendly confines this season. Minnesota Crookston has conference victories over Upper Iowa, Minnesota Duluth, Bemidji State, and Northern State at the "Hersch" this season. The Golden Eagles will look to build on that record as they have four-straight games at home. 

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON GOLDEN EAGLES
Head Coach: Mike Roysland
Record at UMC: 123-225 Season at UMC: 13th Season

MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS
Head Coach: Emilee Thiesse
Record at MSU: 117-79 Season at MSU: Seventh Season

CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL GOLDEN BEARS
Head Coach: Amanda Johnson
Record at CSP: 56-44 Season at CSP: Third Season

Minnesota State at Minnesota Crookston
Date: Fri., Feb. 8
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/
Live Stats: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
Series Record: Minnesota State leads 15-7
Last Meeting: Minnesota Crookston won 75-60 Jan. 27 in St. Paul, Minn.
Trends: Minnesota State has won the last two meetings
Officials: Chris Heise, Glenn Roll, Andy Dumas

Concordia-St. Paul at Minnesota Crookston
Date: Sat., Feb. 9
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/
Live Stats: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
Series Record: Concordia-St. Paul leads 22-9
Last Meeting: Minnesota State won 64-54 Jan. 26 in Mankato, Minn.
Trends: Minnesota Crookston has won three of the last four meetings
Radio: 1260 KROX AM/105.7 FM, on the app, www.kroxam.com, and on Amazon Alexa
Officials: Ben Franson, Chad Palmer, Jim Erzar

Minnesota Crookston
Projected Starters
Fr. PG 5 Kylie Post (5-7, Corcoran, Minn.)   8.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.3 APG
Sr. SG 3 Caitlin Michaelis (5-8, Marshfield, Wis.) 11.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.0 APG
Jr. 3G 32 Paige Weakley (5-9, Kearney, Mo.) 5.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG
Fr. SF 24 Paige Cornale (5-10, Oak Creek, Wis.) 4.6 PPG, 0.9 RPG
R-Sr. PF 15 Isieoma Odor (6-0, Bloomington, Minn.) 18.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG
Top Bench Players
Fr. F/C 23 Bren Fox (6-3, Norwood Young America, Minn.) 3.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG
So. G/F 12 Abby Guidinger (5-10, Waukesha, Wis.) 8.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG
Jr. G 4 Stephanie McWilliams (5-8, Grand Forks, N.D.) 3.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG
Fr. G 11 Kylea Praska (5-8, Thief River Falls, Minn.) 2.9 PPG, 1.4 RPG
Jr. F/C 14 Amber Schoenicke (6-1, Marshall, Wis.) 1.9 PPG, 1.9 RPG

Minnesota State
Projected Starters
Sr. PG 3 Monica Muth (5-9, Cambridge, Wis.) 10.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.8 APG
So. SG 4 Kirstin Klitzke (5-9, Montrose, Minn.) 7.1 PPG, 2.0 RPG
So. SF 32 Brooke Tonsfeldt (5-10, Moorhead, Minn.) 7.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG
So. PF 45 Rachel Shumski (6-0, Granada, Minn.) 8.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG
Jr. C 30 Taylor Drost (6-1, Menomonee Falls, Wis.) 12.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG
Top Bench Players
So. F 23 Tayla Stuttley (5-10, Onalaska, Wis.) 8.6 PPG, 3.9 RPG
Fr. G 20 Rylee Menster (5-6, Springville, Iowa) 5.4 PPG, 1.6 RPG
Fr. C 50 Kristi Fett (6-5, Glenville, Minn.) 5.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG
R-Fr. G 10 Maddy Olson (5-4, Rosemount, Minn.) 2.8 PPG, 1.3 RPG

Concordia-St. Paul
Projected Starters
Sr. PG 11 Anna Schmitt (5-7, Waconia, Minn.) 14.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.7 APG
Sr. SG 14 Lexi Lee (5-7, Coon Rapids, Minn.) 8.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG
Sr. SF 5 Kyrah Fredenburg (5-11, Coon Rapids, Minn.) 5.5 PPG, 10.0 RPG
So. PF 4 Sidney Wentland (5-11, Elk River, Minn.) 7.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG
Sr. C 40 Lindsay Dorr (6-2, Otsego, Minn.) 17.2 PPG, 10.0 RPG
Top Bench Players
So. F 21 Riley Wheatcraft (5-11, Prior Lake, Minn.) 5.1 PPG, 1.6 RPG
So. F 32 Ayla Lemke (6-2, Two Harbors, Minn.) 1.8 PPG, 1.9 RPG

CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL GOLDEN BEARS. The Golden Bears are 15-6 (11-5 NSIC) coming into this weekend's matchup. The Golden Bears are in second place in the South division. The Golden Bears are coming off a weekend split last beating Northern State and losing to MSU Moorhead in overtime. The Golden Bears are shooting 40.7 percent from the field on the season. Their opponents are only averaging 59.8 points on the season. Concordia-St. Paul will face Minnesota Crookston Feb. 9, Sat at 3:30 p.m.

DORR DOUBLE DOUBLE. Lindsay Dorr does just about everything for the Golden Bears. Dorr is averaging a double double on the season. Dorr comes in to this game averaging 17.2 points and 10 rebounds. In Dorr's last game out she scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a valiant effort against MSU Moorhead, and she looks to carry that performance over into Saturday's game against the Golden Eagles. Dorr is also a lockdown defender, leading the team in blocks and steals with 37 and 21. 

ABOUT SCHMITT. Anna Schmitt is another steady scorer for the Golden Bears. Schmitt comes in averaging 14.2 points and 3.7 assist on the season. Schmitt likes to drive to the basket where she draws a lot of fouls. Schmitt is getting it done at the free throw line shooting 76.9 percent on the season. The past two games Schmitt has scored 15 and 18 and is looking to bring that consistency to Saturday's contest. 

I SEE LEE. Lexi Lee does a little bit of everything for the Golden Bears at the guard spot. Lee is averaging 8.2 points on the season. She also comes in with 17 steals and 45 assists on the season. Last weekend against Northern State Lee matched her season high scoring 18 points. 

MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS. Minnesota State University, Mankato comes into this weekend's bout with a record of 9-11 (6-10 NSIC). The Mavericks are currently in seventh place in the NSIC South division. The Mavericks are on a two game win streak, they beat MSU Moorhead and Northern State last weekend. The Mavericks are shooting 41.1 percent from the field on the season, they are also shooting 69 percent from the free throw line as a team. Mankato will play Minnesota Crookston Feb. 8, Fri at 5:30 p.m.

A DROST PLEASE. Taylor Drost Comes into the weekend averaging 12.7 points. Drost thrives in the low post for the Mavericks. Drost is shooting 87.2 percent from the free throw line on the season, and will be looking to build on that in the matchup with the Golden Eagles. Last weekend Drost notched a season high 24 points against MSU Moorhead and 16 points against Northern State. She is looking to continue her strong play this weekend. 

A MUTH POINT. Monica Muth is also a steady scorer for the Mavericks. She is averaging 10.3 points on the season. Muth also tallied 56 assists and 21 steals up to this point in the season as well. Muth is a long ball threat shooting 41.8 percent from beyond the arch on the season. Muth had been scoring just above her average for a five game stretch until only tallying two points against Northern State. She looks to get back on track against the Golden Eagles. 

TAYLA TIME. Tayla Stuttley has been a big spark coming off the bench for the Mavericks offense. She is averaging 8.2 points on the season coming into this weekend. Stuttley has 30 assists coming into this weekend's matchup and 77 rebounds. Stuttley is also shooting 79.1 percent from the free throw line. Stuttley had a four game stretch of scoring above her season average before only notching four points against Northern State. She looks to get back on track as well against Minnesota Crookston. 

#5StoryLines
1. Can Minnesota Crookston start strong against Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul?

2. Can the Golden Eagles slow down Dorr and Schmitt from Concordia-St. Paul?

3. Can the Golden Eagles limit Taylor Drost from Minnesota State?

4. Who will step up off the bench for the Golden Eagles?

5. Will Isy Odor continue her strong season?