MARSHALL, Minn. - Northwest Missouri State University outscored the University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team 19-6 in the final five minutes to defeat the Golden Eagles 90-76 at the R/A Facility in Marshall, Minn.
The Golden Eagles led the Bearcats 62-60 going into the fourth quarter after Emma Miller (So., G, Albertville, Minn.) hit a buzzer-beating half-court shot to end the third quarter. Minnesota Crookston trailed just 71-70 at the 5:37 mark before Northwest Missouri State went on a run.
The Bearcats improved to 2-0 with Saturday's win. The Golden Eagles dropped to 0-2 with the loss. Northwest Missouri State has picked up four-straight victories in the series.
Miller paced the Golden Eagles with 31 points on 12-of-22 from the field, and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. She was just six points shy of her school-record 37 points last year against Bemidji State University. The performance was Miller's fourth-highest scoring outing in her career. She completed a double-double with 11 points. Janie Tormanen (So., F, Menahga, Minn.) added 19 points and five rebounds, on 8-of-16 from the field. Olivia Walsh (Fr., G/F, Austin, Minn.) had eight points and nine rebounds. Hope Dudycha (R-Fr., G, Austin, Minn.) finished with seven points. Nicole Hernandez (R-Jr., F/C, Oak Creek, Wis.) notch six points.
Minnesota Crookston shot 27-of-60 for 45.0 percent. They were 8-of-20 for 40.0 percent from beyond the arc, and went 14-of-18 for 77.8 percent from the foul line. The Golden Eagles finished with 17 turnovers. They won the rebounding edge 38-37.
Northwest Missouri State was guided by Peyton Kelderman with 22 points on 8-of-12 from the field, and 5-of-9 from distance. Molly Hartnett added 15 points. Lindsey Kelderman added 12 points and four assists. Kelsey Fields paced the Bearcats with 10 rebounds.
Northwest Missouri State shot 34-of-72 for 47.2 percent. They went 13-of-32 for 40.6 percent from beyond the arc, and went 9-of-13 for 69.2 percent from the foul line.
Minnesota Crookston held an 18-12 lead in the first quarter following a pair of Hope Dudycha free throws. The Bearcats finished the stanza on a 5-0 run, as a Kendall Clatt trey brought them within 18-17.
The Golden Eagles took a 23-17 lead early in the second quarter after a basket from Miller, and a three-point from Tormanen. The Bearcats responded with a 10-2 run, as a Peyton Kelderman old-fashioned three-point play put Northwest Missouri State ahead 27-25. The Golden Eagles were able to take the lead back 32-29 on a Miller three-pointer with 4:56 led in the frame. The Golden Eagles held the lead 41-39 going into the locker room.
Minnesota Crookston pushed the lead to 43-39 after a pair of Walsh free throws to open the second half. The two teams were tied twice in the next four minutes, before the Bearcats took a 50-47 lead on an Emma Atwood trey. The Golden Eagles took the lead back and pushed it out to 57-52 on a Miller jumper. Northwest Missouri State responded with a 6-0 run, as a Caely Kasten bucket gave the Bearcats a 58-57 lead with 1:39 lead in the third quarter. Minnesota Crookston took the lead back on Miller's half-court shot to close the quarter.
The Bearcats opened the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run, as a Hartnett jumper made it 68-64. The Golden Eagles were within 71-70 after Miller's three-pointer before Northwest Missouri State closed the game on their run to win 90-76.
Minnesota Crookston opens their home slate Wednesday, November 15 at 3 p.m., against North Central University.
