CROOKSTON, Minn. – Minnesota State University Moorhead outscored the University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team 28-14 in the third quarter as the Golden Eagles fell 75-62 Saturday, December 11 at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium. UMN Crookston went on a 17-3 run to end the second quarter to lead the Dragons at the half 36-33, but the third quarter performance would lead the Dragons to the win.

Minnesota Crookston fell to 1-10 (0-5 NSIC) with the loss. MSU Moorhead improved to 3-6 (2-3 NSIC) with the victory. The game marked the last home game of the calendar year for the Golden Eagles, who will finish up 2021 on the road. The Dragons have won the last eight games in the series.

The Golden Eagles shot 22-of-45 from the field for 48.9 percent. UMN Crookston had one of their best shooting performances of the season in the first half as they went 14-of-24 for 58.3 percent from the field. Minnesota Crookston was 8-of-18 from beyond the arc for 44.4 percent. The Golden Eagles shot 10-of-12 from the line for 83.3 percent.

UMN Crookston was guided by a season-high 18 points from Abi Fraaza (Fr., F, Birnamwood, Wis.), who made her first career start Saturday. Kylie Post (Sr., G, Corcoran, Minn.) added 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Emma Carpenter (Jr., G, Eagan, Minn.) finished with 11 points. Mary Burke (Sr., F, Virginia, Minn.) came off the bench for seven points. Jes Mertens (So., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) had six rebounds.

The Golden Eagles had 12 assists to 16 turnovers. Minnesota Crookston was outrebounded 27-23.

The Dragons were guided by 18 points from Peyton Boom. Natalie Steichen had 12 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Shyanne Loiland and Nicole Herbranson each came off the bench for 12 points. Mariah McKeever had seven points and six rebounds.

MSU Moorhead shot 28-of-55 from the field for 50.9 percent. The Dragons were 7-of-17 from beyond the arc for 41.2 percent and 12-of-15 from the foul line for 80.0 percent.

The Dragons got out to an 18-13 lead after a free throw from Paige Thompson. The Golden Eagles were able to close within one (19-18) following a Fraaza triple going into the quarter break.

MSU Moorhead opened up the second quarter on an 11-1 lead as they went ahead 30-19 following a trey from Loiland. Minnesota Crookston responded by going on a 17-3 run to end the stanza propelled by five points from Burke and four from Fraaza. The Golden Eagles went into the locker room with a 36-33 advantage.

The two teams traded buckets early in the third quarter as the Golden Eagles held a 42-41 lead after a pair of free throws from Post. MSU Moorhead responded with a 9-0 run as the Dragons took a 50-42 lead on a Loiland old-fashioned three-point play. The Golden Eagles went three minutes without scoring during the stretch. MSU Moorhead went into the quarter break with a 61-50 lead following a Thuringer jumper.

The Golden Eagles would get as close as eight following a Carpenter trey early in the fourth, but that would be as close as they would come. MSU Moorhead came away with the 75-62 victory.

Minnesota Crookston will end 2021 with road games at Minot State University and University of Mary December 17 and 18.