CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team struggled from the field in the second half in a 60-41 loss to St. Cloud State University. The Golden Eagles shot just 5-of-22 from the second half and were outscored 35-17 after being down just 25-24 at the half to the Huskies.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 1-6 (0-1 NSIC) with Thursday's loss. St. Cloud State improved to 4-1 (2-0 NSIC) with the victory. The game was the first for the Golden Eagles at the friendly confines of Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium after playing their first six games on the road.

Minnesota Crookston was led by Emma Carpenter (Jr., G, Eagan, Minn.) with nine points on 2-of-4 from the field. Jes Mertens (So., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) notched seven points and five rebounds. Kylie Post (Sr., G, Corcoran, Minn.) notched four points and five rebounds. Bren Fox (R-Jr., F/C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) notched four points and seven boards. Abi Fraaza (Fr., F, Birnamwood, Wis.) tallied six points and five rebounds.

The Golden Eagles were 14-of-44 for 31.8 percent from the field on Thursday. UMN Crookston went 4-of-14 from beyond the arc for 28.6 percent. The Golden Eagles were 9-of-14 from the line for 64.3 percent.

St. Cloud State looked to 12 points and five rebounds from Nikki Kilboten. Tori Wortz had 11 points and six rebounds. Katrina Theis had 10 points off the bench, while Erin Navratil had eight points.

The Huskies shot 27-of-67 from the field for 40.3 percent. St. Cloud State was just 4-of-20 for 20.0 percent from beyond the arc. St. Cloud State went 2-of-4 for 50.0 percent from the stripe.

Minnesota Crookston struggled with turnovers as they had 20 on the evening, while St. Cloud State had 18 points and nine turnovers for the game.

The Golden Eagles trailed just 14-12 at the end of the first quarter after a three-pointer from Kylea Praska (Sr., G, Thief River Falls, Minn.). St. Cloud State pushed out to a seven-point lead after a Bridget Froehlke three-pointer with 6:54 remaining in the second quarter. UMN Crookston countered with a 9-0 run to take a 21-19 as Mertens scored off an assist from Abigail Leach (Jr., G/F, Wyoming, Minn.). The Huskies closed the quarter on a 6-3 run as a Wortz jumper put the Huskies up 25-24 going into the break.

UMN Crookston took a 30-27 lead with 7:24 remaining in the third quarter following a Post basket. Minnesota Crookston then went cold from the field as they were unable to score for seven minutes allowing the Huskies to go on a 15-0 run to take a 42-30 lead. Mertens hit 1-of-2 from the stripe late in the quarter to cut it to 42-31 going into the quarter break.

The Golden Eagles closed to within 42-33 with a pair of Mertens free throws early in the fourth quarter. However, St. Cloud State would close out the win as the final was 60-41.

Minnesota Crookston travels to face University of Minnesota Duluth Saturday, December 4 at 4 p.m. in Duluth, Minn.