CROOKSTON, Minn. – Emma Miller (Fr., G, Albertville, Minn.) poured in a school-record 37 points to guide the University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team to a 76-64 victory over Bemidji State University Saturday, December 17 at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.

Miller scored a career-high 37 points on 13-of-20 from the field, 5-of-10 from beyond the arc, and 6-of-6 from the charity stripe. Miller's 37 points broke the mark of Alison Hughes, who scored 36 points February 17, 2017 against Minot State University.

The Golden Eagles improved to 4-8 (3-3 NSIC) with Saturday's win over the Beavers. UMN Crookston has already matched their wins mark from the 2021-22 season. They are currently in fifth place in the NSIC North. Bemidji State drops to 3-7 (0-6 NSIC). The Golden Eagles picked up the sweep of the Beavers for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

In addition to Miller, Bren Fox (R-Sr., F/C, Norwood Young America, Minn.) controlled the paint with a double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds. Fox has recorded three double-doubles this season. She needs just nine boards to surpass Emily Gruber for fourth all-time in career rebounds for the Golden Eagles. Taryn Frazer (Fr., G, Cass Lake, Minn.) added eight points. Nicole Hernandez (Jr., F, Oak Creek, Wis.) chipped in six points.

The Golden Eagles shot 27-of-56 from the field for 48.2 percent. Minnesota Crookston went 8-of-26 for 30.8 percent from beyond the arc. They were 14-of-16 from the foul line for 87.5 percent.

Bemidji State was guided by Sam Pogatchnik with 16 points and seven rebounds. Trinity Yoder finished with 15 points and seven boards. Maddie Schires added 14 points, including 4 three-pointers. Alyssa Hill finished with 11 points.

The Beavers went 24-of-60 from the field for 40.0 percent. Bemidji State shot 6-of-26 for 23.1 percent from beyond the arc. The Beavers struggled on the foul line, hitting at just a 55.6 percent clip.

Minnesota Crookston outrebounded Bemidji State 37-32.

The Golden Eagles jumped on the gas early as they raced out to a 12-0 advantage, with seven of those points coming from Miller. Bemidji State evened things out the rest of the way in the first quarter as they went into the quarter break down 16-15 following a basket from Jana Swanson.

UMN Crookston pushed out to an early 22-17 advantage following a Miller three-pointer with 6:59 left in the stanza. Bemidji State was able to climb back within one (22-21) after a bucket from Erin Barrette. The Golden Eagles would take control back late in the quarter as they went into the half with a 38-30 advantage. Miller led the Golden Eagles with 23 points at the break.

Bemidji State was able to trim the deficit to 42-35 after a pair of Pogatchnik free throws early in the third quarter. The Golden Eagles controlled the rest of the quarter as they went into the break with a 63-48 lead after an old-fashioned three-point play from Fox.
 
The Golden Eagles extended their lead to 71-52 with a Fox basket with 6:27 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Beavers got the lead down to 10 (74-64) after a bucket from Pogatchnik. UMN Crookston put Bemidji State away with a pair of free throws from Veronica Schwartz (Sr., G/F, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) to capture the 76-64 win.

Minnesota Crookston will return from the break to host Minot State University Friday, December 30 at 3 p.m.