It's the second straight weekend at home for the Golden Eagles this weekend, as they get set to host undefeated and No. 6 Minnesota Duluth inside Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.

This past weekend, Minnesota Crookston stayed in the hunt in the NSIC North this weekend with a split of the Marauders of the University of Mary

This weekend, Minnesota Crookston will look to do something they haven't done in a long time: knock off a ranked opponent. Minnesota Duluth comes into this weekend ranked in the top-10 of the WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches Poll at No. 6. The Bulldogs are 5-0 and well on their way to yet another NCAA Tournament.

FAN POLICY
Friday and Saturday's games will be the first where fans are allowed. Fans should arrive no sooner than 30 minutes before game time each day. All games are free admission for fans. Two people per player for both teams will be permitted to enter the game. Your name must be on a pass list as you enter the south doors of the Crookston Sports Center. Fans must remain masked for the entirety of the game. No food or drinks are permitted. Fans must remain six ft. away from other fans. No walk-up admissions will be allowed. Fans must exit Lysaker Gymnasium immediately following this weekend's games.

BISHOP STRONG
The Golden Eagles family is dealing with a major loss to its family. Former KROX announcer Matt Bishop passed away in December after a long battle with cancer. Matt loved announcing Golden Eagle games and will always be a part of the Golden Eagle family.

BEAT THE BULLDOGS
Over the last five or so years, the Bulldogs have had the Golden Eagles number. The Highway-2 rivals meet twice a year and since the 2015-16 season, Minnesota Duluth has swept the season series with the Bulldogs. The Golden Eagles last win over UMD came in the 2015-16 season came at Lysaker Gymnasium, the last year the Golden Eagles advanced to the NSIC Quarterfinals. The Bulldogs are one of the best teams in the nation and will be a tough test for the young Golden Eagles.

KNOCK OFF THE BIG DOGS
The pun is obviously intended in the headline. The Golden Eagles will look to something they haven't done in over seven seasons: knock off a ranked opponent. The last win for the Golden Eagles over a ranked team was on Dec. 12, 2014, when they knocked off No. 7 Wayne State in Wayne, Neb. If the Golden Eagles happen to upset the Bulldogs this weekend, it would be the highest ranked team Minnesota Crookston has ever knocked off in the Division II era. It's a giant opportunity for the Golden Eagles this weekend.

HOME SWEET HOME
There's something about brand new Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium that the Golden Eagles love. Minnesota Crookston is 3-1 on the season in Crookston, with their only loss coming last Friday at the hands of UMary. The Golden Eagles have shot the ball excellent at home, making 33 shots from deep in their four home games. The Golden Eagles love their home cookin' and they will hope that continues this weekend against a nationally-ranked opponent.

DEFENSIVE STOPPERS
The Golden Eagle backcourt might be one of the best in the conference, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Freshmen Jes Mertens and junior Kylie Post both rank nationally in steals with Mertens fifth in the nation and Post in the top-150. Both are ranked in the top-15 in the NSIC in steals, with Mertens leading the way with her 3.9 steals per game. On the offensive side, sophomore Emma Carpenter has dished out the ball well, sitting 12^th in the NSIC with assists. The trio has been excellent for the Golden Eagles this season.

LAUNCH FROM DEEP
In the Golden Eagles three wins this season, one key stat has been what stood out: the three ball. In their three wins, Minnesota Crookston has made 29 shots from deep, including eight in last Saturday's win over UMary. The Golden Eagles are fifth in the conference in 3-point percentage on the season and are ninth in the conference with 5.9 makes from deep per game. Mary Burke's 18 makes from long range has been key in the success from deep. The redshirt sophomore from Virginia, Minn., is 15^th in the NSIC in makes per game from long distance.

GIANT WEEKEND
In what might be the biggest test of the season so far for Minnesota Crookston, it might also be their biggest weekend of the season. With only six games remaining in the regular season, the Golden Eagles currently sit in fifth place in the NSIC at 3-5, sitting right behind the Dragons of Minnesota State Moorhead. The top four teams will make the NSIC tournament this season. It should be a fun six games down the stretch for the Golden Eagles and their fans.

Game Information
Friday, Feb. 5
5:30 P.M.
Minnesota Duluth at Minnesota Crookston
Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Video - https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/
Live Stats - https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary

Sat., Feb. 6
1:30 P.M.
Minnesota Duluth at Minnesota Crookston
Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Video - https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/
Live Stats - https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary


2020-21 NSIC Rankings
Scoring Offense: 16th
Scoring Defense: 11th
Scoring Margin: 15th
Free Throw Pct.: 8th
Field Goal Pct.: 15th
Field Goal Pct. Defense: 15th
3-Point Field Goal Pct.: 5th
3-Point Field Goal Pct. Defense: 8th
Rebounding Offense: 16th
Rebounding Defense: 12th
Rebounding Margin: 16th
Offensive Rebounds: 16th
Defensive Rebounds: 16th
Blocked Shots: 11th
Assists: 16th
Steals: 2nd
Turnover Margin: 6th
Assist/Turnover Ratio: 16th 


Weekly Snapshot

Minnesota Crookston
Projected Starters
So. G 4 Emma Carpenter (5-10, Eagan, Minn.) 6.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG
Jr. G 5 Kylie Post (5-7, Corcoran, Minn.) 9.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG
R-So. G/F 14 Mary Burke (5-11, Virginia, Minn.) 10.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 18 3-Point makes
Fr. G 21 Jes Mertens (5-9, Devils Lake, N.D.) 11.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG
Fr. F 30 Haylee Wheeler (6-2, Lakeville, Minn.) 5.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG
Top Bench Players
So. G 3 Alyssa Peterson (5-7, Menahga, Minn.) 3.5 PPG
Sr. F 10 Ashley Freund (5-11, Jordan, Minn.) 1.6 PPG
Jr. G 11 Kylea Praska (5-8, Thief River Falls, Minn.) 1.2 PPG
Fr. F 32 Eden Golliher (6-0, Iron River, Mich.) 2.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG
Jr. F 23 Bren Fox (6-3, Norwood Young America, Minn.) 8.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG
Jr. F 31 Julia Peplinski (5-10, Hustisford, Wis.) 4.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG
University of Minnesota Duluth
Projected Starters
Sr. G 11 Ann Simonet (5-7, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) 8.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG
Sr. G/F 21 Payton Kahl (6-0, Stoughton, Wis.) 6.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG
Jr. G 32 Maesyn Thiesen (5-7, Sauk Centre, Minn.) 10.2 PPG, 2.2 RPG
Jr. F 24 Brooke Olson (6-2, Rice Lake, Wis.) 19.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG
Sr. F 42 Sarah Grow (6-2, Circle Pines, Minn.) 8.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG
Top Bench Players
So. G 0 Taytum Rhoades (5-9, St. Paul, Minn.) 7.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG
So. G/F 22 Madelyn Granica (5-11, Amery, Wis.) 3.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG
So. G 23 Kaylee Nelson (5-8, Roseville, Minn.) 1.3 PPG
Fr. G/F 31 Ella Gilbertson (6-0, Lake Zurich, Ill.) 8.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG



STUDY THE OPPONENT

University of Mary
 
The Bulldogs are legit. The Bulldogs come into this weekend at 5-0 and are ranked sixth in the nation. The Golden Eagles were swept at the hands of the Bulldogs a season ago, but fell by just one in Duluth a season ago.

GROWING HER GAME
 
Sarah Grow is the third leading scorer on the Bulldogs, averaging just under nine points per game on the season, while leading the team in rebounds with 6.3 rebounds per game. Although Grow has scored in double-figures just once this season (win over Minot State), she has been an important part of the Bulldogs program for four years and that continues this season.

RHOADES CLOSED
 
Taytum Rhoades might be an X-factor for the Bulldogs. The sophomore guard from St. Paul, Minn., has had a really nice season in her second year as a Bulldog. Rhoades had a career-high 19 points in the Bulldogs second win of the season over Minot State. Rhoades brought down five rebounds each in her first three games of the season this year. Rhoades doesn't score the ball a ton, but she does a lot of the small stuff that helps UMD win a ton of games.

PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
 
We'd be remiss to do a preview on the Bulldogs without mentioning Brooke Olson. The Player of the Year a season ago and the preseason Player of the Year this year is having an excellent season so far this season for the Bulldogs. The Rice Lake, Wis., native is leading the conference in scoring at 19.2 points per game and has scored double-digits, including a season-high 27 in a win over the Beavers of Minot State. Olson was named the preseason Player of the Year for a reason and she's proving the voters right this season.
 

WHAT TO WATCH
1. Can the Golden Eagles get their first win over a ranked opponent in seven years?

2. Keep pace in the NSIC North

3. Minnesota Crookston looking to end losing streak to UMD

4. Can the Golden Eagles stop NSIC preseason player of the year Brooke Olson?

5. Can the Golden Eagles continue to shoot the ball well at home?