SIOUX FALLS, S.D.– The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team were within two points of the University of Sioux Falls with 3:58 left in the game, however the Cougars closed out the game on a 10-2 run to pick up the victory.

The Golden Eagles fell to 1-16 (0-11 NSIC) after Saturday's loss. Sioux Falls improved to 13-6 (8-4 NSIC) with the victory.

Minnesota Crookston looked to 16 points and seven boards from Abi Fraaza (Fr., F, Birnamwood, Wis.). She was 5-of-7 from the field, and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe Saturday. Abigail Leach (Jr., G/F, Wyoming, Minn.) added a season-high 14 points on 5-of-10 from the field, and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. Bren Fox (R-Jr., F/C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) came off the bench for 10 points and five rebounds. Kylie Post (Sr., G, Corcoran, Minn.) finished the game with eight points, six rebounds, and four assists.

The Golden Eagles shot 21-of-50 from the field for 42.0 percent. Minnesota Crookston went 7-of-18 from beyond the arc for 38.9 percent, and they were 11-of-16 for 68.8 percent from the foul line. UMN Crookston won the battle on the glass 38-34 during Saturday's game. They did struggle with hanging on to the ball, as they committed 20 turnovers compared to just 14 assists.

Sioux Falls was guided by Megan Fannin with 16 points. Madison Wuebben came off the bench for 14 points. Dallie Hoskinson and Madison Birnbaum each chipped in nine points.

Minnesota Crookston's defense held USF to shooting just 38.7 percent (24-of-62) from the field. The Cougars shot 9-of-25 for 36.0 percent. They struggled from the line, going just 13-of-22 for 59.1 percent.
The Golden Eagles jumped out to an 8-4 lead Saturday after a jumper from Fraaza with 7:11 remaining in the first period. Sioux Falls pulled within one point (8-7) following three-consecutive free throws.

Minnesota Crookston had a response as Post ignited a 6-0 run to push the Golden Eagles out to a 14-7 lead with 4:13 remaining in the quarter. The Golden Eagles went into the quarter break with the 16-13 advantage.

USF opened the second stanza on a 10-0 run to take the lead 23-16 after a Danielle Schaub jumper. The Golden Eagles didn't score their first bucket of the second quarter until 6:25 was left on the clock as Fraaza hit a basket to pull UMN Crookston within 23-18. The Golden Eagles responded with an 8-3 run as a pair of Jes Mertens (So., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) free throws tied the game up 26-26 with 2:45 left in the second quarter. The Cougars closed out the first half on a 9-3 run to go into the locker room with a 35-29 advantage.

Minnesota Crookston came out of the locker room with a response to USF as they went on a 7-2 run, pulling within one point (37-36) on a Emma Carpenter (Jr., G, Eagan, Minn.) triple with 5:11 remaining in the quarter. Sioux Falls countered with a 7-2 run as a Fannin jumper pushed the lead to 44-38 with 2:35 left in the stanza. Minnesota Crookston made a late charge in the quarter as they went on a 7-4 run to pull within three (48-45) on a Post jumper heading into the quarter break.

The Golden Eagles knotted the game up 51-51 with 8:40 remaining in the game on a Fraaza old-fashioned three-point play. Sioux Falls used a 6-0 run culminating with a Fannin trey to give the Cougars a 57-51 lead with 6:58 remaining in the game. Minnesota Crookston pulled within one on a Leach three-pointer with 5:27 remaining. However, the Cougars had the answer as a Wuebben trey gave USF a four-point lead with 4:14 left on the clock. UMN Crookston would pull within two on a pair of Fraaza free throws with 3:58 remaining. However, Sioux Falls closed the game out on a 10-2 run as they picked up the 70-60 victory.

Saturday's game was the closest Minnesota Crookston had played Sioux Falls since a 69-63 loss in Crookston January 14, 2017. Minnesota Crookston's last win in the series came February 6, 2015. Minnesota Crookston had their best shooting percentage since shooting 48.9 percent against Minnesota State University Moorhead December 13, 2021.

Minnesota Crookston will look to build on the positives from this weekend as they return home to host Wayne State College Friday, January 28 at 5:30 p.m. at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.