CROOKSTON, Minn. - Wayne State College outscored the University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team 33-19 in the second half to earn a 67-52 win and spoil Senior Day for the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Crookston trailed just 34-33 at the break, but the Golden Eagles were held to 20.0 percent from the field in the second half.
The Golden Eagles dropped to 9-17 (6-14 NSIC) with Saturday's loss. Wayne State improved to 6-17 (3-17 NSIC) with the win. Minnesota Crookston split with the Wildcats 1-1 this season. The Golden Eagles remain in the NSIC Tournament hunt, as they are tied for 10th in the NSIC with the University of Sioux Falls, Minot State University, and Augustana University.
Minnesota Crookston was lifted by Emma Miller (So., G, Albertville, Minn.) with 10 points. Miller needs just 25 points to become the 13th player in the program's NCAA Division II era to score over 1,000 points.
Janie Tormanen (So., F/C, Menahga, Minn.), who will graduate in just two years with her diploma and was honored on Senior Night, finished with eight points. Hope Dudycha (R-Fr., G, Austin, Minn.) notched seven points. Nicole Hernandez (R-Jr., F/C, Oak Creek, Wis.) added five points and eight rebounds.
The Golden Eagles went 18-of-60 from the field for 30.0 percent. They were 6-of-17 from beyond the arc for 35.3 percent, and 10-of-17 from the foul line for 58.8 percent. The Golden Eagles had 11 assists, to just six turnovers. They were outrebounded 44-37.
Wayne State was propelled by 16 points from Brooklyn Kruse. Maya Fitzpatrick added 13 points, while Rachel Dahlen came off the bench for 12. Britney Ho had nine points and six boards, while Tate Norblade had eight points and seven rebounds.
The Wildcats shot 29-of-63 from the field for 46.0 percent. They went 3-of-8 for 37.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 6-of-10 for 60.0 percent from the charity stripe. They finished with 16 assists, to just eight turnovers.
The Golden Eagles jumped out to a 5-2 lead after a Tormanen basket. Wayne State tied the game 7-7 after a Britney Ho bucket. Minnesota Crookston responded with a 5-0 run, as a Miller basket gave the Golden Eagles a 12-7 lead. Minnesota Crookston held an 18-11 advantage following a Tormanen bucket with 1:15 remaining in the quarter. The Wildcats closed the deficit to 19-16 with a Britney Ho free throw going into the quarter break.
Wayne State opened the second quarter on a 6-0 run, as a Norblade basket put the Wildcats ahead 22-19. Minnesota Crookston took the lead back 25-24 after a Klejeski old-fashioned three-point play. Wayne State countered with a 4-0 run to take the 28-25 lead with 3:51 left in the quarter. Minnesota Crookston knotted the game 28-28 with an Ainsley McLain (Fr., G, Grafton, N.D.) trey with 3:38 left in the game. The Golden Eagles took a 33-32 lead on another McLain trey with just over a minute remaining in the quarter. However, Kruse scored going into the half to give Wayne State a 34-33 nod at the break.
Wayne State opened the third quarter on a 4-0 run with back-to-back Kruse buckets to extend their lead to 38-33.The Golden Eagles cut the deficit to 38-35 with a pair of Miller free throws. They were able to slice the deficit to 42-41 as Hope Dudycha found Hernandez for a pair. Wayne State closed the quarter on a 11-2 run to go into the quarter break with a 53-43 lead.
The Wildcats built on their momentum, using a 12-2 run to go ahead 65-45 on a Dahlen bucket. Minnesota Crookston was able to get the deficit back down to 15, but it wouldn't be enough.
The Golden Eagles honored Tormanen and Lily Orazem (G, Onamia, Minn.) for Senior Day prior to the game. Minnesota Crookston wraps up the regular-season on the road next weekend Friday, February 23 at Minnesota State, and Saturday, February 24 at Winona State University.
