ST. CLOUD, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team was defeated 72-51 by St. Cloud State University to open December at Halenbeck Hall in St. Cloud, Minn. Minnesota Crookston had five assists to 20 turnovers in the game as they lost their NSIC road opener Friday, December 1. Minnesota Crookston cut St. Cloud State's lead to 12 in the third quarter, but were unable to make up the rest of the difference as they fell to the Huskies.

Minnesota Crookston continues to have their best start since the 2018-19 season with a 4-4 (1-1 NSIC) mark. St. Cloud State improved to 4-1 (1-0 NSIC) with Friday's win. The Huskies have won seven-straight in the series. Minnesota Crookston's last win at Halenbeck Hall came January 9, 2015.

The Golden Eagles were led by Emma Miller (So., G, Albertville, Minn.), who finished with 13 points and five boards. Hope Dudycha (R-Fr., G, Austin, Minn.) chipped in nine points. Rayna Klejeski (Fr., F, Barnum, Minn.) came off the bench for eight points. Olivia Walsh (Fr., G/F, Austin, Minn.) added seven points, while Nicole Hernandez (R-Jr., F/C, Oak Creek, Wis.) notched six points and six boards.

Minnesota Crookston shot 20-of-60 for 33.3 percent. The Golden Eagles were 1-of-12 for 8.3 percent from beyond the arc. They were 10-of-14 for 71.4 percent from the stripe. St. Cloud State outrebounded the Golden Eagles 50-42, including 19 offensive boards.

The Huskies were guided by four players scoring double figures. Jasmine Litt led the way with 13 points and eight boards. Jada Eggebrecht added 12 points. Ashley Sawicki finished with 11 points and six rebounds, while Alyssa Stamer chipped in 10 points. Morgan Draheim guided the offense with six assists and no turnovers.

St. Cloud State shot 27-of-73 for 37.0 percent from the field, and 8-of-19 for 42.1 percent from distance. They were 10-of-22 for 45.5 percent from the foul line. The Huskies had 19 assists to 11 turnovers.

The Golden Eagles held a 9-6 lead over the Huskies following a driving lay-in from Miller with 5:05 left in the first quarter. The Huskies countered with a 9-0 run as a Draheim trey gave St. Cloud State a 15-9 lead. The Huskies went into the second quarter with a 17-11 advantage.

Minnesota Crookston began the second quarter with a Miller triple to pull within 17-14. The Huskies countered with a 5-0 run after an Alana Zarneke triple to make it 22-14. The Golden Eagles utilized baskets from Hope Dudycha, and Walsh to pull within 22-18. St. Cloud State pushed their lead to 31-19 following an Stamer trey, and a Jasmine Litt basket. Jada Eggebrecht widened the gap to 33-19 with 2:22 remaining in the stanza. Minnesota Crookston cut the deficit to 35-25 after a pair of Janie Tormanen (So., F/C, Menahga, Minn.) free throws. The Huskies went into the break ahead 37-25.

St. Cloud State opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run, utilizing an Eggebrecht jumper to make it 44-25 with 8:22 remaining in the frame. Down 22, the U of M Crookston made a 6-0 run using a pair of Tormanen free throws to cut the deficit to 49-33 with 4:20 remaining in the frame. The Golden Eagles pushed the run to 8-0 as Riley Jenkins found Klejeski in the post for a pair to trim the lead to 49-35. Minnesota Crookston pulled within 49-37 with a pair of Klejeski free throws. The Huskies halted a 10-0 run with one Dru Henning free throw to make it 50-37. Minnesota Crookston went into the fourth quarter trailing 54-39. 

St. Cloud State commenced the fourth quarter with a Sawicki bucket to extend their lead to 56-39. The Huskies widened the gap to 59-39 with a Draheim triple. The Golden Eagles got the lead down to 18 (67-49) following a Miller bucket with 2:10 left in the game. The Huskies fended off the U of M Crookston down the stretch to win 72-51. 

Minnesota Crookston heads to Bemidji, Minn., to face Bemidji State University at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, December 2.