Women's Basketball | 11/13/2024 4:10:00 PM

• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON women's basketball team will hit the road for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan this week for a pair of games. The Golden Eagles are set to take on Northern Michigan University Friday, November 15 at 2 p.m. C.T., and Michigan Technological University Saturday, November 16 at 2 p.m. C.T. Minnesota Crookston enters the weekend with an 0-2 mark after falling in Aberdeen, S.D., to the University of Nebraska Kearney and Pittsburg State University. The Golden Eagles are averaging 66.0 points per game, and allowing 96.0 per tilt. The Golden Eagles are shooting 43.8 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 73.3 percent from the stripe. They are being outrebounded 28.0-38.5 on the glass. 

• SERIES HISTORY.  The Golden Eagles are 0-5 all-time against Northern Michigan. The locest game they had with the Wildcats came November 18, 2021 with a 50-48 loss in Marquette. It was the last time the Golden Eagles played in Marquette. Minnesota Crookston has lost both games in Marquette by a combined five points. The Golden Eagles are 0-6 all-time with 
Michigan Tech. The closest game with the Huskies was eight points (65-57) with Michigan Tech November 19, 2021. The Golden Eagles have played twice in Houghton, in 2021 and 2016. 

• ROUND BALL RILEY. Riley Jenkins (R-So., G/F, Galesburg, Ill.) has been coming into her own on the court for the Golden Eagles. Jenkins first arrived in 2023-24, recovering from an injury and has continued to improve and become a bigger piece for the Golden Eagles. Jenkins comes into the weekend notching 12.0 points, and 4.5 rebounds per game. Jenkins is 
shooting 50.0 percent from the field. She ended the season well in 2023-24, notching a season-high 12 points against Winona State. Jenkins notched 9.0 points per game in her final two contests of her debut season with Minnesota Crookston.

• LOCAL FLAVOR. The Golden Eagles have strong connections to the local area in their incoming class. Minnesota Crookston has Crookston-native Halle Winjum (Fr., G) on the roster. In addition, Brynlea Mahlen (Fr., G, Fosston, Minn.), comes down the road from 45 minutes away in Fosston. She has deep connections to the program as her father Nate Mahlen was a long-time women's basketball assistant coach and is currently an Assistant Athletic Director for the Golden Eagles. Willow Thiel (Fr., F, Perham, Minn.) is from the region in Perham, but her mother Lacey Thiel is originally from Crookston.

• MILLER TIME. Minnesota Crookston junior guard Emma Miller had a strong first two seasons for Minnesota Crookston. Miller is a two-time All-NSIC selection, earning All-NSIC First Team as a freshman, and All-NSIC Second Team as a sophomore. She is the first player since Katrina Nordick and Alexa Thielman in 2014-15 and 2015-16 to earn back-to-back All-NSIC accolades. She became the 13th player to score 1,000 points in Minnesota Crookston history. She is just 27 points from breaking into the Top 10 and surpassing Cathy Behr. Miller needs 691 points to move past Jamie Zelinsky as the top scorer of all-time for the Golden Eagle program. Her best season was 524 points as a freshman. Miller averaged 17.2 points per game last season, 6.4 rebounds per tilt, and 3.1 assists per game. Miller shot 36.8 percent from the field, and 34.3 percent from beyond the arc as a sophomore. In her debut weekend in 2024-25, Miller averaged 14.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. She shot 36.7 percent from the field, but struggled from deep at an 18.2 percent clip. Miller will continue to be a vital piece going forward.

• A LITTLE HOPE. Redshirt sophomore guard Hope Dudycha, a native of Austin, Minn., had a good first year on the court for the Golden Eagles, and will be looked to have even more of an impact in 2024-25. Dudycha started 23 games as a redshirt freshman, averaging 7.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Dudycha is shooting 37.2 percent from the field, and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc. Dudycha is shooting 81.0 percent from the charity stripe. Her season high came with 20 points February 16, 2024 against Augustana. Dudycha comes into the second weekend of the season notching 5.5 points, and corralling 3.0 boards per tilt. Dudycha is shooting 50.0 percent from the field, and beyond the arc. She will be a major factor as a shooter. She had 11 points on Saturday against Pittsburg State. 

• NIKKI DOWN LOW. Redshirt senior Nicole Hernandez will be a crucial player in the post for the Golden Eagles. Hernandez returns after averaging 6.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Hernandez will be vital on the glass for Minnesota Crookston. In addition, she led the squad with 58 blocks as a junior. Hernandez started 23 games last season and will become even more important with the graduation of Janie Tormanen. Hernandez also shot 32.7 percent from beyond the arc last season. In the first weekend of the season, Hernandez averaged 4.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per tilt. She had six points, and seven rebounds Saturday versus Pittsburg State. 

• "THIEL"ING IT. Willow Thiel (Fr., F, Perham, Minn.) had a strong debut for Minnesota Crookston. The freshman notched 8.5 points and 6.5 boards per game against Nebraska Kearney and Pittsburg State. She comes into the weekend 
shooting an impressive 66.7 percent from the field. Thiel was a major factor off the bench against the Gorillas, tallying 14 points and six rebounds. She grabbed seven boards against the Lopers. 

• FRAZER FEELIN' IT. Taryn Frazer (Jr., G, Cass Lake, Minn.) was a big factor off the bench in Minnesota Crookston's first two games of the 2024-25 season. Frazer averaged 8.0 points per game, shooting 42.9 percent from the field, and 37.5 
percent from beyond the arc. She tallied 11 points Saturday against nationally-ranked Pittsburg State University. Frazer will look to be a big factor this weekend in the Upper Peninsula. 

• LIMITING TURNOVERS. The Golden Eagles moved to a fast-paced offense last season under Head Coach Natalie Moynihan. A key moving forward will be limiting turnovers. The Golden Eagles notched 308 assists to 491 turnovers last season. They had 148 more turnovers than their opponents in 2023-24. In the first two games of this season, they are notching 19.5 
turnovers to 15.0 per game for their foes. Minnesota Crookston showed improvement against Pittsburg State Saturday, with 15 turnovers compared to 24 on Friday. 

NORTHERN MICHIGAN. Northern Michigan University comes into the weekend with a 2-0 mark. They picked up a five-point win against Thomas More in overtime, and won by five over Lewis. The Wildcats are averaging just 50.5 points per game, but allowing just 47.0 to their foes defensively. They enter the weekend shooting 30.4 percent from the field, and just 24.0 percent from deep. They were solid from the stripe, hitting at a 70.0 percent clip. The Wildcats struggled maintaining possession, as they had 19.0 turnovers per game compared to 15.0 for their opponents. Northern Michigan has controlled the glass in their first two games, outrebounding foes 44.5-37.0. 

NOT NEW BUT A NEWCOMER. Sarah Newcomer might have the name, but she isn't new to Northern Michigan. The
 junior averaged 7.8 points, and 3.8 rebounds per tilt last season for the Wildcats. She comes into the weekend as 
Northern Michigan's leading scorer, tallying 11.0 points, and 2.5 boards per tilt. Newcomer is shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc entering the weekend. 

BEMIDJI STATE TRANSFER. Alyssa Hill has made a major impact in her first two games for the Wildcats. Hill transferred over from NSIC foe Bemidji State University. Hill comes into the weekend notching 9.5 points, and 7.0 boards per game. Hill notched 10 points in the win over Thomas More. Hill had a great game last season against the Golden Eagles, scoring 28 points and 13 boards. Hill was 13-of-24 from the field in the 87-70 win for the Beavers. Hill has seven offensive boards coming into the weekend. 

ON THE GLASS. Alyssa Nimz leads Northern Michigan on the glass. She comes in averaging 7.0 boards per game. Nimz is averaging 4.0 points per game. She had 11 boards against Lewis November 9. Nimz will be a big factor for the Wildcats.

FRAAZA. Northern Michigan has former Golden Eagle Abi Fraaza on the roster. Fraaza played one season for the Golden Eagles before transferring to the Wildcats. She did not play in the first two games for Northern Michigan. In 2023-24, Fraaza notched 7.1 points, and 5.0 rebounds per game. 

MICHIGAN TECH. The Huskies come into the weekend with a 1-1 mark. Michigan Tech fell 68-57 to Lewis November 8, but defeated Thomas More 73-59. Michigan Tech scored 65.0 points per game, and allowed 63.5 to their foes. The Huskies shot 46.7 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 77.8 percent from the foul line. Michigan Tech was outrebound 27.0-37.5 in the first week. The Huskies had 13.0 turnovers per game, and their opponents had 13.5. 

THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENZ. Isabella Lenz leads Michigan Tech with 19.0 points per game. Lenz is shooting 53.6 percent from the field, and 37.5 percent from deep. She is an impressive 83.3 percent from the foul line coming into the weekend. Lenz had 23 points in the loss to Lewis on November 8. She had 15 in the victory over Thomas More. 

ALL ABOUT ALYSSA. Alyssa Wypych, a sophomore guard for the Huskies, is one of the squad's top shooters, hitting at a 50.0 percent clip on 10 shots. Wypych is averaging 14.0 points, and 3.5 boards per game. She comes in shooting 52.6 percent from the field. 10-of-19 of her field goals have been from deep this season. It is where she appears to be the biggest threat. Wypych was a major factor in the win over Thomas More, scoring 21 points. 

STANDFEST STEPPING UP. Kendall Standfest is listed as a six-foot guard, but she was one of the top players down low for the Huskies in the first weekend. Standfest averaged 12.0 points, and a team-high 9.0 boards per game. She shot 56.3 percent from the field, and 50.0 percent from distance. Standfast had a double-double of 12 points, and 10 boards for Michigan Tech.

JUST JANIE. Former Golden Eagle Janie Tormanen is at Michigan Tech after graduating from Minnesota Crookston last season. She is a graduate student for the Huskies. Tormanen did not play in the first weekend for the Huskies. 

GAMEDAY

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON AT NORTHERN MICHIGAN
DATE: Friday, November 15
TIME: 2 p.m. C.T.
SITE: Marquette, Mich.
ARENA: Vandament Arena
LIVE STATS: https://nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://go.flosports.tv/ (Pay-Per-View)
X: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonWBB

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON AT MICHIGAN TECH
DATE: Saturday, November 16
TIME: 2 p.m. C.T.
SITE: Houghton, Mich.
ARENA: Wachs Arena
LIVE STATS: https://michigantechhuskies.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://go.flosports.tv/ (Pay-Per-View)
X: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonWBB

WEEKLY SNAPSHOT

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
Projected Starters
Jr. PG 1 Emma Miller (5-1, Albertville, Minn.) 14.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.0 APG
R-So. SG 2 Hope Dudycha (5-5, Austin, Minn.) 5.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG
R-So. 3G 30 Riley Jenkins (5-10, Galesburg, Ill.) 12.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG
So. SF 14 Rayna Klejeski (6-0, Barnum, Minn.) 4.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG
R-Sr. C 4 Nicole Hernandez (6-2, Oak Creek, Wis.) 4.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG
Bench
Jr. G 3 Taryn Frazer (5-4, Cass Lake, Minn.) 8.0 PPG, 1.0 RPG
Fr. F 21 Willow Thiel (5-11, Perham, Minn.) 8.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG
Jr. G 11 Natalie Mikrot (5-6, Willow River, Minn.) 4.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG

NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Projected Starters
R-Jr. PG 1 C.J. Romero (5-4, Brookfield, Wis.) 7.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG
Jr. SG 5 Sarah Newcomer (5-10, Pewaukee, Wis.) 11.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.5 APG
Jr. 3G 23 Jacy Weisbrod (5-10, La Crosse, Wis.) 6.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG
Sr. SF 25 Alyssa Nimz (6-1, Pewaukee, Wis.) 4.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG
Jr. PF 42 Alyssa Hill (6-1, Negaunee, Mich.) 9.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG
Bench
R-Sr. G 11 Kayla Tierney (5-7, South Milwaukee, Wis.) 4.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG
Fr. G/F 2 Sydney Whitehouse (5-8, Green Bay, Wis.) 4.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG
Fr. G 10 Addison Pytleski (5-9, Green Bay, Wis.) 1.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG
Sr. G 3 Mackenzie Holzwart (5-8, Howards Grove, Wis.) 0.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG

MICHIGAN TECH
Projected Starters
So. PG 3 Dani Nuest (5-7, Becker, Minn.) 9.0 PPG, 0.5 RPG, 3.0 APG
Sr. SG 23 Isabella Lenz (5-9, Prescott, Wis.) 19.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.5 APG
So. 3G 2 Alyssa Wypych (5-10, Rockford, Mich.) 14.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG
Fr. SF 12 Kendall Standfest (6-0, Elk Rapids, Mich.) 12.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG
Fr. PF 13 Kloe Zentkowski (6-1, Superior, Wis.) 2.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG
Bench
Fr. G 4 Ella Mason (5-8, Negaunee, Mich.) 6.5 PPG, 1.0 RPG
Sr. F 54 Emma Anderson (6-2, Menominee, Mich.) 2.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG
Fr. G 20 Kaisa Salani (5-6, Hancock, Mich.) 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

Will Emma Miller have a major impact for the Golden Eagles?

Can Taryn Frazer continue to have a big impact for the Golden Eagles after a good first week?

What freshmen can have a big weekend for Minnesota Crookston?

Can Minnesota Crookston limit turnovers?

Can the Golden Eagles have a major impact on the baords this weekend?