CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball got within two points of the No. 6 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs with 1:26 remaining. However, a key three-pointer from Maesyn Thiesen helped lift UMD to a 72-64 win.
The Golden Eagles trailed by 13 points with 6:44 left in the game, but they went on a 13-2 run to get within two points before UMD closed out the win.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 3-9 (3-7 NSIC), while Minnesota Duluth improves to 7-0 (6-0 NSIC) with the victory.

Top Players- Bren Fox (Jr., F/C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) was the leader for Minnesota Crookston with 16 points and eight rebounds. Mary Burke (R-So., F, Virginia, Minn.) helped out with 16 points. Jes Mertens (Fr., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) was a key player to the game having 21 points and five rebounds. Mertens, who ranks in the top 10 nationally for steals, finished the game with three.

Brooke Olson was a big help gaining a win for Minnesota Duluth with 19 points and six rebounds. Sarah Grow was right there with her having 15 points and nine rebounds. Thiesen had five points, nine rebounds and three assists to help out UMD.

Key Stats- UMD finished with a shooting percentage of 45.6. UMC finished with a percentage of 39.3. Three pointers were not as prominent this game. UMC had a percentage of 26.3 while UMD had 36.8. Both teams were almost equal in turnovers. Minnesota Crookston had 13, while Minnesota Duluth had 12. The Bulldogs outrebounded the Golden Eagles 40-31. Minnesota Crookston finished the game with seven offensive rebounds, paced by seven from Post. UMD had nine offensive rebounds.

Key Runs- It seemed as if the entire game was a big back and forth battle. Minnesota Duluth was able to pull ahead having more points back to back but Minnesota Crookston stayed close the whole game. In the fourth quarter, Duluth had the largest lead in the game but UMN Crookston was still able to make the score closer by closing the gap to two late in the game. However, key shots down the stretch helped the Bulldogs to the 72-64 win.

Up next- Next week on February 12, the Golden Eagles play at St. Cloud State University at 6 p.m.