BEMIDJI, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team fell 70-48 to Bemidji State University in their first game of 2022 at BSU Gymnasium in Bemidji, Minn. The Golden Eagles led 10-8 at the conclusion of the first quarter but they were outscored 62-40 the rest of the way as the Beavers picked up the victory.

Minnesota Crookston fell to 1-13 (0-8 NSIC) with the loss. Bemidji State improved to 7-5 (5-3 NSIC) with the victory. The Beavers sweep the season series against the Golden Eagles.

The Golden Eagles were guided by Abi Fraaza (Fr., F, Birnanwood, Wis.) with a double-double 14 points and 12 rebounds. Lily Orazem (Fr., G, Onamia, Minn.) came off the bench for her career-high with 10 points on 4-of-5 from the field. Alex Page (Fr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) added seven points for the Golden Eagles.

Minnesota Crookston shot 16-of-43 from the field for 37.2 percent. The Golden Eagles were 3-of-10 from beyond the arc for 30.0 percent, and 13-of-19 from the foul line for 68.4 percent. UMN Crookston won the rebounding edge 31-30 on the day led by Fraaza. The Golden Eagles finished the game with 20 turnovers.

Bemidji State was led by 20 points off the bench from Coley Rezabek, who went 8-of-12 from the field, and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Trinity Yoder added 16 points and seven assists. Rachael Heittola notched nine points and five boards.

The Beavers shot 28-of-58 from the field for 48.3 percent. Bemidji State went 10-of-25 from beyond the arc for 40.0 percent. The Beavers were 4-of-8 from the stripe for 50.0 percent. The Beavers had 16 assists to 13 turnovers for the game. The Beavers had 34 points in the paint for the game.

The Golden Eagles jumped out to the 3-0 advantage as Carpenter drained a three for the Golden Eagles. The teams would be knotted up 5-5 following a jumper from Page. UMN Crookston took the advantage 9-8 after a pair of free throws from Eden Golliher (So., F, Iron River, Mich.) with 1:39 left in the first quarter. The Golden Eagles went into the quarter break with a 10-8 advantage.

The Golden Eagles extended their lead to 13-8 out of the quarter as Leach drained a three-pointer. The Beavers countered with a 5-0 run guided by Rezabek as they tied the game up 13-13. Minnesota Crookston took the lead back 15-13 on a Page jumper with 6:06 remaining in the quarter. The Golden Eagles would continue to have the advantage 17-16 following a pair of Fraaza free throws. Bemidji State utilized a 12-2 run to take a 28-19 lead following a Jana Swanson bucket. The Beavers went into the break with a 30-21 advantage.

Minnesota Crookston pulled within seven at 30-23 after a jumper from Fox to open the third quarter. Bemidji State responded with a 9-0 run propelled by five points from Yoder to make it 39-23. Orazem hit a bucket to stop the run and pull the Golden Eagles within 39-25. The Beavers would keep their momentum and go into the quarter break with a 49-29 advantage following a basket from Rezabek.

The Beavers opened the final stanza with a trey from Rezabek to push the lead out to 52-29. They extended their advantage to 59-32 on a Yoder bucket. Bemidji State pushed their lead out to 64-34 with a three from Sam Pogatchnik. The Beavers kept up their play in the fourth quarter to pick up the 70-48 victory.

The Golden Eagles will return home to face Upper Iowa University Friday, January 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn.