CROOKSTON, Minn. - Minot State University ended Wednesday's tilt with the Univeristy of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team on a 9-1 run to defeat the Golden Eagles 59-56 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles led by six points with 4:48 remaining, but didn't score a field goal for the final 4:48 of the tilt, as they fell to the Beavers.
Minnesota Crookston dropped to 7-14 (5-10 NSIC) with Wednesday's loss. They sit in a three-way tie with Minnesota Duluth, and Winona State for 11th place in the conference standings. Minot State improved to 7-15 (6-9 NSIC) with the victory. The squads split the season series, as the U of M Crookston won in Minot 70-63 November 26.
The Golden Eagles were guided by Emma Miller (Jr., G, Albertville, Minn.) with 25 points, nine rebounds, and three assists on 10-of-28 from the field, and 4-of-14 from beyond the arc. Miller surpassed Alexa Thielman for fifth all-time in scoring in Minnesota Crookston. She now has 1,470 career points. Miller needs 56 points to surpass Isieoma Odor for fourth all-time.Â
Riley Jenkins (R-So., G/F, Galesburg, Ill.) added a double-double of 10 points, and 11 boards. Nicole Hernandez (R-Sr., F/C, Oak Creek, Wis.) chipped in two points, eight boards, and two blocked shots. She needs 12 blocked shots to surpass Odor for the career blocks mark. Hope Dudycha (R-So., G, Austin, Minn.) dished out six assists Wednesday.
The Golden Eagles shot 21-of-64 for 32.8 percent from the field. They went 7-of-29 for 24.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 7-of-8 for 87.5 percent from the stripe. Each team had 42 rebounds Wednesday, while the Golden Eagles edged the Beavers with 13 offensive boards. Minnesota Crookston finished with 15 assists, and 11 turnovers.
Minot State was lifted by 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists from Sydney Gustavvson. Gustavvson was 6-of-13 from beyond the arc. Maya Aguilar added 15 points, and six boards. Jessica Mogen led the way with eight rebounds.
The Beavers hit at a 33.3 percent clip from the field. They were 9-of-31 for 29.0 percent from distance, and 10-of-12 for 83.3 percent from the line.
After a tight game early, Minot State took an 11-8 lead when Gustavvson found Emma Mogen for a pair with 6:18 left in the first quarter. The Beavers went into the quarter break with an 18-11 lead after the Golden Eagles didn't score for the final 4:11 of the quarter.Â
The Beavers held a 24-14 lead early in the second following a Jessica Mogen basket. Minnesota Crookston countered with a 6-0 run, as a pair of Jenkins free throws trimmed the deficit to 24-20. Minot State widened the gap to 33-24 with a Gustavvson trey. Minnesota Crookston closed the gap going into the break, trailing just 33-30.
The Golden Eagles tied the game 36-36 early in the third stanza after a Miller jumper. Minot State led 47-42 after an Ashley Wacha jumper with 57 seconds remaining in the quarter, but a Brynlea Mahlen (Fr., G, Fosston, Minn.) trey cut the deficit to 47-45 going into the quarter intermission.
The Golden Eagles outscored the Beavers 10-2 to open the fourth frame, as a Miller three-pointer made it 55-49 with 4:48 remaining. Minnesota Crookston went cold from there, as their only point in the final 4:48 was a Miller free throw, but Minot State picked up the 59-56 win.
The Golden Eagles head to the University of Mary Saturday, February 1 at 5:30 p.m. for a road tilt in the NSIC.