CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team fell 103-71 to Augustana University Friday, February 16 at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Vikings went 8-of-9 from beyond the arc in the first quarter on their way to a 35-19 score in the opening stanza. Minnesota Crookston was outscored 68-52 the rest of the game.
Minnesota Crookston dropped to 9-16 (6-13 NSIC) with the loss. Augustana improved to 7-16 (6-13 NSIC). The Vikings picked up the sweep over the Golden Eagles this season. Minnesota Crookston is in a four-way tie for 10th place in the NSIC, as the final three spots in the NSIC Tournament are on the line. They are currently tied with the University of Sioux Falls, Minot State University, and Augustana University.
The Golden Eagles had their best offensive output since January 12. Minnesota Crookston was guided by a double-double from Janie Tormanen (So., F/C, Menahga, Minn.) with 20 points and 10 boards. Hope Dudycha (R-Fr., G, Austin, Minn.) added 20 points on 7-of-15 from the field. Emma Miller (So., G, Albertville, Minn.) finished with 19 points. Miller needs 35 points to become the 13th player in the program's NCAA Division II history to reach 1,000 points. Nicole Hernandez (R-Jr., F/C, Oak Creek, Wis.) added five points and seven boards. Riley Jenkins (R-Fr., G/F, Galesburg, Ill.) finished with seven points.
Minnesota Crookston went 26-of-71 for 36.6 percent from the field. The Golden Eagles were 4-of-18 for 22.2 percent. Minnesota Crookston was 15-of-21 for 71.4 percent from the foul line. Augustana outrebounded the Golden Eagles 52-38, including 18 offensive boards.
Augustana was propelled by their three-point shooting, as they went 16-of-31 from beyond the arc for 51.6 percent. The Vikings were led by 28 points and 16 boards from Michaela Jewett. Jewett was 6-of-11 from distance. Lauren Sees chipped in 26 points, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. Jennifer Aadland finished with a double-double of 20 points and 10 boards, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Augustana went 40-of-83 for 48.2 percent. The Vikings went 16-of-31 for 51.6 percent from beyond the arc, while they were 7-of-9 from the foul line for 77.8 percent.The Vikings finished with 20 assists, and just seven turnovers.
The Vikings raced out to a 12-2 lead, guided by two three-pointers from Jewett, and one from Aadland. The Golden Eagles pulled within 14-6 on a Miller bucket. The Vikings countered with a 13-2 run, taking a 27-8 advantage on an Aadland trey. Augustana pushed out to a 35-12 lead on a Jewett basket with 1:19 remaining. The Vikings took a 35-19 advantage going into the quarter break.
The Golden Eagles pulled within 14 (42-28) following a Hope Dudycha three with 6:11 remaining. The Vikings were able to extend their lead to 20 (50-32) on a Jewett trey with 2:47 left in the stanza. Minnesota Crookston was able to pull within 17 on a Hope Dudycha bucket heading into the locker room.
Augustana opened the third quarter on a 14-2 run, as an Abby Phipps bucket gave the Vikings a 68-39 advantage. Minnesota Crookston got the deficit down to 20 with a Hope Dudycha triple with 1:12 remaining in the stanza. Augustana ended the quarter on a Jewett trey going into the fourth quarter.
The Vikings pushed their lead to 30 (92-62) after an Aadland bucket. Augustana continued to hold steady down the stretch, as they earned a 103-71 victory.
Minnesota Crookston wraps up their home stand Saturday, February 17 against Wayne State College. The Golden Eagles are fighting for a spot in the NSIC Tournament. Augustana owns the tiebreaker over Minnesota Crookston. The Golden Eagles have the tiebreaker on Minot State, and go into tomorrow's game with the Wildcat with the advantage on Wayne State. Sioux Falls owns the tiebreaker over Minnesota Crookston.
