CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team used a 13-0 run early in the fourth quarter to fend off Minot State University and open conference play with a 67-54 victory. The Beavers came within two points at the start of the fourth stanza, but the Golden Eagles stepped up in a necessary moment, including Natalie Mikrot (So., G, Willow River, Minn.) hitting a crucial four-point play.
Minnesota Crookston improved to 3-2 (1-0 NSIC) with Tuesday's win at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium. The win is the first in the NSIC for Head Coach Natalie Moynihan, who is in her first season leading the ship in Crookston. The Golden Eagles are 3-0 at home this season. Minot State dropped to 1-6 (0-1 NSIC) with the loss. Moynihan already has the most wins in her first full season of any full-time head coach for Minnesota Crookston since Janna Hjelseth had 16 wins during the 1989-90 season.
The Golden Eagles were propelled by a pair of double-doubles. Emma Miller (So., G, Albertville, Minn.), the reigning NSIC Freshman of the Year, finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Nicole Hernandez (R-Jr., F/C, Oak Creek, Wis.) played one of her best games in the Maroon and Gold, securing 10 points and 14 rebounds. Janie Tormanen (So., F, Menahga, Minn.) was close to a double-double with 10 points and nine boards, as was Olivia Walsh (Fr., F, Austin, Minn.) with eight points and 12 rebounds.
Minnesota Crookston won the battle of the glass 58-48, but lost the fight for offensive boards, giving up 17. The Golden Eagles played strong defense holding their foes to under 55 points for the third-straight game. Minnesota Crookston moves to 3-1 in their last four games against the Beavers.
The Golden Eagles finished the game shooting 25-of-68 for 36.8 points per game. They scored 36 points in the paint. Minnesota Crookston went 5-of-20 for 25.0 percent from three-point range. They were 12-of-15 for 80.0 percent from the stripe. The Golden Eagles had 10 assists to 18 turnovers.
Minot State was led by Sydney Gustavsson with 19 points and eight boards. Jaime Skeggs added eight, while Taylor Goss had seven points and six rebounds. The Beavers went 19-of-75 for 25.3 percent. They shot 31 three-pointers, but hit just five. They also struggled from the foul line, going 11-of-21 for 52.4 percent.
Minot State lept out to an early 7-4 lead in the first quarter, with all seven points scored by Gustavsson. Minnesota Crookston countered with a 6-0 run, as a Miller jumper made it 10-7. A three-pointer from Gustavsson pulled the Beavers within 13-12 with 59 seconds left in the first quarter. Minnesota Crookston closed the quarter on a 5-2 run, as a Hernandez basket gave the Golden Eagles an 18-14 advantage.
The Beavers kept the deficit within four (23-19) after an Emily Srejma jumper with 6:18 remaining in the second quarter. The Golden Eagles responded and went ahead by nine points using a Miller jumper with 3:47 left in the stanza. Minnesota Crookston would hold tight to the lead, going into the locker room ahead 34-26.
Minnesota Crookston came out of the locker room strong, going on a 7-0 run with a Hope Dudycha (R-Fr., G, Austin, Minn.) triple putting the Golden Eagles ahead 41-26. The Golden Eagles continued to lead by 15 (45-30) following a Tormanen lay-in. That is when the well went dry, as Minot State closed the third quarter on an 11-0 run. They trimmed the deficit to 45-41 on a Peyton Breidenbach basket.
The Beavers scored the first bucket of the fourth quarter to extend the run to 13-0. Minnesota Crookston finally snapped a 7:53 dry spell as Hope Dudycha scored to push the lead to 47-43. Minnesota Crookston turned the bucket into a 10-0 run as a Miller jumper made it 55-43. Cassidy King cut the deficit to 10 the following possession, but that would be as close as it would get. Minnesota Crookston picked up the win 67-54.
The Golden Eagles head to face Lynn University in Miami Shores, Fla., Friday, November 24 at 12 p.m. C.T.
