Minot, N.D. – The University of Crookston Women's Basketball team was looking to earn their first conference win of the season as they looked to knock off the Beavers of Minot State.
Minot State would make big plays down the stretch and hold off a Golden Eagle second half rally to defeat the Golden Eagles, 70-63.
Minnesota Crookston falls to 1-11 on the season (0-6 NSIC), while the Beavers improve to 5-8 (3-3 NSIC).
The Beavers would get out to a quick start with a 5-0 lead, but
Kylie Post (Sr., G, Corcoran, Minn.) would make a tough lefty runner to cut the lead to 5-2.
After a pair of
Bren Fox (R-Jr., C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) free throws,
Abigail Leach (Jr., F, Wyoming, Minn.) would bury a three to send the Golden Eagles into the first quarter break with a 13-12 lead.
In the second quarter, the Beavers would finish the quarter on a 13-7 run, but
Alex Page (Fr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) was able to halt the run with a three from the nearside corner to halt a 10-0 Beaver run.
Minot State would end the first twenty minutes with a 36-26 lead.
Fox led the way with eight first half points, while
Mary Burke (Sr., F, Virginia, Minn.) would finish the half with four.
Minnesota Crookston would come out firing on all cylinders in the second half. The Golden Eagles would score the first five points of the half, highlighted by an
Emma Carpenter (Jr., G, Eagan, Minn.) three-point make and a
Abi Fraaza (Fr., F, Birnamwood, Wis.) jump shot.
The Golden Eagles would take the lead on a pair of Fraaza free throws.
Kylea Praska (Sr., G, Thief River Falls, Minn.) would score five points in that third quarter, including a three-point make to give the Golden Eagles a 46-45 lead.
Jes Mertens (So., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) would also bury a three at the end of the quarter to tie things up at 49. That is how both those teams went into the fourth quarter.
The Beavers would eventually extend their lead to 64-56, but the Golden Eagles would score five straight points to cut the lead to 64-61, but the Beavers would pull away for the 70-63 victory.
The Golden Eagles were led in double-figures by Fraaza's 11 and Post, who finished with 10. Fox ended the night with eight, while Mertens and Carpenter each finished with seven in the game.
Minnesota Crookston finished the night shooting just under 37 percent from the field in the game and was 8-26 from deep.
The Golden Eagles will look to salvage a split tomorrow night as they head to Bismarck for a date with the Marauders of UMary. Tip-off is set for 5:30 from the state capital of North Dakota.