MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State University Moorhead controlled the paint and the boards Saturday, December 10 to claim a 71-50 win over the University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team at Nemzek Hall. MSU Moorhead had 43 rebounds to 25 for the Golden Eagles. They scored 44 points in the paint Saturday.

Minnesota Crookston fell to 3-8 (2-3 NSIC) with Saturday's loss to the Dragons. MSU Moorhead improved to 6-3 (3-2 NSIC). The Golden Eagles split the weekend, after picking up a victory over Northern State University Friday.

The Golden Eagles were guided by Emma Miller (Fr., G, Albertville, Minn.), who has been a key cog for UMN Crookston early in the season. Miller scored 23 points on 9-of-14 from the field. She went 4-of-4 from beyond the arc. Miller averaged 27.5 points for the weekend, after scoring 32 points in a win over Northern State Friday. Bren Fox (R-Sr., F/C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) finished with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Nicole Hernandez (Jr., F, Oak Creek, Wis.) added four points and five boards.

MSU Moorhead was led by 19 points from Peyton Boom, on 9-of-11 from the field. Mariah McKeever added 18 points and nine boards. Alisa Knight chipped in eight points.

The Dragons were 31-of-69 from the field for 44.9 percent. MSU Moorhead was 5-of-21 from beyond the arc, for 23.8 percent. They were 4-of-7 for 57.1 percent from the foul line. The Dragons had 43 rebounds, including 15 offensive boards.

The Golden Eagles shot 20-of-53 from the field for 37.7 percent. Minnesota Crookston went 4-of-17 for 23.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Golden Eagles were 6-of-8 for 75.0 percent from the foul line.

The Dragons opened the game on a 6-0 run following a Terryn Johnson putback. The Golden Eagles jumped on to the scoreboard with 6:25 left in the first quarter when Miller connected on a jumper. MSU Moorhead pushed the advantage to 13-2 with a Boom trey with 3:58 left in the first quarter. The Golden Eagles countered with a 7-3 run to pull within 16-9 going into the second stanza.

An Olivia Skibiel bucket extended the Dragon lead to 20-9 early in the second quarter. MSU Moorhead extended their advantage to 25-11 following a McKeever triple. Minnesota Crookston pulled within 27-16 using a Janie Tormanen (Fr., F/C, Menahga, Minn.) basket with 4:47 left in the quarter. The Dragons went into the half with a 33-20 advantage.

The Dragons used a 5-0 run culminating with a Natalie Jens triple to push the advantage to 41-25 with 5:57 left in the third quarter. MSU Moorhead widened the gap to 47-28 with a Knight jumper with 3:23 left in the frame. A Miller old-fashioned three-point play brought the Golden Eagles back within 16 points at 49-33 with 2:13 left in the quarter. The Dragons pushed their lead back out to 20 with a basket from Knight. However, Miller drained a three-pointer with 33 seconds left in the quarter to pull UMN Crookston back within 17 (55-38) going into the fourth quarter.

The Golden Eagles trimmed the deficit to 15 (57-42) with 8:33 left in the game following a Fox jumper. The Dragons extended their lead out to 20 (66-46) with a Payton Bang bucket. MSU Moorhead picked up the 71-50 victory.

Minnesota Crookston returns home Friday, December 16 to host Minot State University at 5:30 p.m. at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.