CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team fell 99-52 to No. 6/11 University of Minnesota Duluth Thursday, February 16 at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.

The Bulldogs improved to 23-3 (20-1 NSIC) with Thursday's win. Minnesota Duluth claims the NSIC regular-season championship. Minnesota Crookston fell to 10-17 (9-12 NSIC) with Thursday's loss. The Golden Eagles have posted their first 10 win season since 2018-19. Minnesota Crookston will have a big Saturday as they look to claim a spot in the NSIC Tournament. The Golden Eagles need to get a win over St. Cloud State University on the road Saturday or have Northern State University defeat Minot State University to earn a spot in the NSIC Tournament. If both Minnesota Crookston and Minot State lose, the Golden Eagles would earn the final spot in the NSIC North for the NSIC Tournament.

The Golden Eagles best quarter Thursday came in the second stanza where they outscored the Bulldogs 22-15. Minnesota Duluth was able to jump out to a sizable lead Thursday by outscoring Minnesota Crookston 36-10 in the first quarter.

The Golden Eagles were guided by Janie Tormanen (Fr., F, Menahga, Minn.), who scored a career-high 18 points. Bren Fox (R-Sr., F/C, Norwood Young America) added 16 points and eight boards. Fox is 23 rebounds from setting the school-record for career rebounds, currently owned by Isieoma Odor. Natalie Mikrot (Fr., G, Willow River, Minn.) added eight points off the bench.

The Bulldogs limited Emma Miller (Fr., G, Albertville, Minn.) to three points. Miller is the NSIC's second-leading scorer, trailing only Minnesota Duluth's Brooke Olson.
The Bulldogs were guided by 23 points from Olson. Taytum Rhoades added eight points and six assists. Lexi Karge came off the bench for 18 points and five boards. Taya Hakamaki notched 12 points off the bench, as did Ella Gilbertson.

The Bulldogs shot 39-of-62 for 62.9 percent. UMD was 9-of-19 for 47.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 12-of-14 for 85.7 percent from the stripe. Minnesota Crookston shot 18-of-56 from the field for 32.1 percent. The Golden Eagles were held to 2-of-11 from beyond the arc for 18.2 percent, and were 14-of-23 for 60.9 percent from the foul.

Minnesota Crookston wraps up the regular-season Saturday, February 18 at 5:30 p.m. against St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn.