Kearney, Neb. – The University of Nebraska at Kearney used a quick first quarter to defeat Minnesota Crookston in women's basketball action on Friday night, 69-49. It was the regular season opener for Minnesota Crookston.
The Golden Eagles fall to 0-1 on the season, while the Lopers improve to 2-1 on the season.
UNK would score the first six points of the first quarter, but
Emma Miller (Fr., G, Albertville, Minn.) would score her first collegiate points of her career with a jumper in the lane.
Those two points would be the only two points of the quarter for the Golden Eagles, who would trail 16-2 after the first ten minutes.
The Lopers would be up 19-2, but
Natalie Mikrot (Fr., G, Willow River, Minn.) would bury a three ball from the left wing to cut the lead to 19-5.
UNK would lead by 17 late in the first half, but
Bren Fox (Sr., F, Norwood Young America, Minn.) and
Alex Page (So., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) would score back-to-back buckets to make it 24-11.
UNK would head into the halftime break up by 15, 28-13.
The Golden Eagles would come out firing in the second half. Mikrot,
Abigail Leach (R-Jr., G/F, Wyoming, Minn.) and
Taryn Frazer (Fr., G, Cass Lake, Minn.) would each bury a three early on in the second half.
The Lopers would take control of the third quarter, leading 54-28 heading into the final stanza.
Minnesota Crookston would not go away quietly. The Golden Eagles would go on a 13-2 run, highlighted by a Page three to cut the Lopers lead to just 15 with just over seven minutes to go.
15 would be as close as the Golden Eagles would get, as the Lopers would pull away for the 69-49 victory.
In her first career game, Frazer led the way with nine points. Another pair of freshmen, Mikrot and Miller each finished with eight points. Miller led the way with six assists. Page finished with seven points, while
Nicole Hernandez (Jr., F/C, Oak Creek, Wis.) had a nice Golden Eagle debut, finishing with six points and three rebounds.
Minnesota Crookston shot 36.4 percent from the field. UNK outrebounded Minnesota Crookston 49-28 in the game.
What's Next
Minnesota Crookston will look for their first win of the season tomorrow afternoon, as they wrap-up their trip to Kearney with Northwest Missouri State. Tip-off is set for 2 P.M.
