MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team picked up a 73-67 win over Barry University Saturday, November 25 at the Barry University Invitational in Miami Shores, Fla. The Golden Eagles ended the third quarter on a 15-4 run and outscored the Buccaneers 39-28 in the second half. Minnesota Crookson trailed 39-34 at the half to Barry.
Minnesota Crookston improved to 4-3 (1-0 NSIC) with Saturday's win at Barry. They continue their best start since the 2018-19 season. New Golden Eagle Head Coach Natalie Moynihan continues to have the best record in her first season for the Golden Eagles of any full-time Minnesota Crookston coach since 1989-90. Barry fell to 2-3 with the loss. The Golden Eagles finish non-conference play with a 3-3 mark. Minnesota Crookston picks up their first win over Barry in the three-game series all-time. Barry won match-ups in 2010 and 2017. The Golden Eagles improve to 4-0 when they hold opponents under 70 points.
The Golden Eagles were led by a double-double from Janie Tormanen (So., F/C, Menahga, Minn.) with 14 points and 12 boards. Tormanen chipped in four helpers. Emma Miller (So., G, Albertville, Minn.) scored 18 points, secured five boards, and dished out three assists. Olivia Walsh (Fr., G/F, Austin, Minn.) picked up back-to-back double-figure scoring games with 13 points. Hope Dudycha (R-Fr., G, Austin, Minn.) added 11 points. Taryn Frazer (So., G, Cass Lake, Minn.) chipped in nine points. Nicole Hernandez (R-Jr., F/C, Oak Creek, Wis.) finished with six points and six boards.
Minnesota Crookston shot 26-of-57 for 45.6 percent from the field. They were 8-of-18 for 44.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 13-of-25 for 52.0 percent from the stripe. The Golden Eagles had 14 assists to 25 turnovers. Barry won the rebounding edge 48-41.
Audrey Jennings paced the Buccaneers with 22 points and eight boards. Chiara Fusari added 12 points and five assists. Rachel Murray came off the bench for nine points, while Andreonia Doe had seven points and five rebounds.
The Golden Eagle defense held Barry to just 25-of-78 for 32.1 percent. Minnesota Crookston went 4-of-20 for 20.0 percent from beyond the arc. They were 13-of-18 for 72.2 percent from the stripe. Barry committed 19 turnovers in the afternoon.
The Buccaneers held an early 4-3 advantage after a Fusari bucket. Minnesota Crookston countered with a 7-0 run as a Miller bucket gave the Golden Eagles a 10-4 lead with 5:36 left in the first quarter. Barry pulled within 12-9 on a Madison McFerrin basket with 3:39 left in the frame. Minnesota Crookston took the 18-13 lead on a Miller three with 19 seconds remaining, but Barry's Murray hit a triple at the end of the quarter to cut the deficit to 18-16.
The Golden Eagles opened the second frame with a Frazer triple to widen the gap to 21-16. The Buccaneers responded with an 11-0 run to overtake the lead 27-21 on a Jennings fastbreak. Minnesota Crookston pulled back within 29-27 on a Tormanen bucket with 5:01 left in the second quarter. Barry responded and pushed the advantage back out to 37-27 on a Fusari basket. The Golden Eagles utilized back-to-back Frazer treys, and a Hernandez free throw to cut the Barry lead to 37-34. Barry ended the quarter with a Fusari basket to head into the locker room with the 39-34 lead.
The Buccaneers held a 45-37 lead following a Fusari jumper with 7:47 remaining in the third. The U of M Crookston used a 4-0 run to trim the Barry lead to four with 6:54 left in the stanza. The Buccaneers responded with a pair of Britney Mapang free throws to extend the lead to six. Minnesota Crookston responded with a 15-2 rally to take the lead over Barry 56-49 following a Hernandez free throw. Holly Davies scored two at the line to trim the deficit to 56-51 going into the quarter break.
Barry opened the fourth stanza with a Jennings old-fashioned three-point play to cut the deficit to 56-54. Minnesota Crookston came right back with a 5-0 run guided by a Walsh old-fashioned three-point play to extend the advantage to 61-54. The Buccaneers got the lead down to 61-58 on a Kayla Lindsay bucket. Barry continued to stay right in the fray as they trailed by just four (66-62) with 2:21 remaining in the game. Minnesota Crookston closed the game out to pick up the 73-67 victory on the road.
The Golden Eagles return to NSIC play Friday, December 1 against St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn.
