CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston basketball team looked to tie the season series with University of Mary on the afternoon of Sat., Jan. 30. With a score of 73-65 they did just that. Jes Mertens (Fr., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) and Mary Burke (R-So., F, Virginia, Minn.) each had 17 points to help the Golden Eagles get the win. It was a game highlighted by a lot of threes and free throws and the Golden Eagles did both better. The Golden Eagles move to 3-7 (3-5 NSIC) on the season and the Marauders fall to 2-6 (2-4 NSIC).

Top Players – Mertens and Burke led the Golden Eagles in scoring with 17. Emma Carpenter (So., G, Eagan, Minn.) was the only other Golden Eagle with double digit points with 13. Kylie Post (Jr., G, Corcoran, Minn.) and Bren Fox (Jr. C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) each added an additional eight points. Mertens and Haylee Wheeler (Fr., F, Lakeville, Minn.) led the team in rebounds with seven apiece. Mertens and Post led the team in steals with two for each of them.

Lexie Schneider led the way for UMary again leading the whole game in scoring with 21. Lauren Rotunda added 16 and Macy Williams finished with 12.

Key Stats – Both teams shot well from the field in this game. UMN Crookston shot 46.9% while University of Mary shot 41.4%. The three pointer was a crucial aspect for both teams as the Golden Eagles shot 57.1% and the Marauders shot just 33.3%. The Golden Eagles were able to make two more threes then the Marauders while taking four less attempts from deep. Free throws were ultimately what helped UMN Crookston get the win as they shot 19-of-23 from the charity stripe. Mary went 11-of-16. It is rare to see a team get outrebounded and still win but that is what the Golden Eagles were able to accomplish in this game. The Marauders had 36 total rebounds to the Golden Eagles 27. UMary led both teams in turnovers with 17 and the Golden Eagles had 14. 

Key Runs – The Golden Eagles got off to a quick start going up 7-0 right out of the gate. UMary then came back with their own 7-0 run to tie the game up. In the second quarter the Golden Eagles used an 8-2 run to get them up three right before the half. With two seconds left, Mertens was able to get a steal and an assist to Post who hit a layup right at the buzzer to send UMN Crookston into the half up five. The Golden Eagles came out on fire in the third quarter. They were able to shoot 8-of-13 from the field in the quarter and had a 12 point lead going into the fourth. The Marauders started to force bad shots in the start of the final quarter but were eventually able to find a rhythm going on a 7-0 run to bring them within six. The Marauders were able to bring it within four but that was as close as they got as the team could not get the shots they needed to fall. Free throws and the three ball helped carry the Golden Eagles as they get a big conference win.

Up Next – The Golden Eagles women's basketball team will stay home next weekend as they take on the No. 8 Bulldogs from the University of Minnesota Duluth Fri., Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. and Sat., Feb. 6 at 1:30 p.m.