CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team used a team effort Wednesday night to earn a dominant 99-70 win over the University of Jamestown. Emma Miller (Fr., G, Albertville, Minn.) scored 33 points, while Anna Westby (Fr., F, Eveleth, Minn.) added 21 in the victory at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles played strong defensively, forcing 21 turnovers and scoring 31 points off turnovers. They also shared the ball well, with 18 assists to 10 turnovers. 

The Golden Eagles improved to 2-9 (1-5 NSIC) with Wednesday's win. Jamestown dropped to 4-6 (2-4 NSIC). Minnesota Crookston remains unbeaten all-time against the Jimmies, improving to 5-0. Wednesday's tilt was the first meeting as NSIC opponents for Minnesota Crookston and Jamestown.

Miller put up her best effort of the season, as she scored 33 points on 10-of-17 from the field, and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Miller added six assists, four rebounds, and five steals. Westby produced back-to-back standout games. The freshman scored 21 points on 8-of-12 from the field, and 3-of-4 from distance. She added six boards, five blocks, and two steals. Riley Jenkins (R-Jr., G/F, Galesburg, Ill.) added 19 points on 7-of-15 from the field. Halle Winjum (So., G, Crookston, Minn.) made her second-consecutive start, and was a glue player making a lot of high-effort plays. She finished with six points, five rebounds, and two assists. Rayna Klejeski (Jr., F, Barnum, Minn.) added six points and five rebounds, while Brynlea Mahlen (So., G/F, Fosston, Minn.) chipped in five points and three boards.

The Golden Eagles had an offensive showcase, shooting 34-of-67 for 50.7 percent. They were 13-of-30 for 43.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 18-of-19 for 94.7 percent from the stripe. The Golden Eagles hit their most threes since hitting 13 against Augustana January 25, 2025. Minnesota Crookston scored their most points since tallying 98 and 104 in back-to-back games November 20 and November 30, 2013 against Finlandia University and Bemidji State University. The Golden Eagles were even on the glass 35-35 against the Jimmies.

Jamestown shot 22-of-56 for 39.3 percent. They were 8-of-19 for 42.1 percent from distance, and 18-of-23 for 78.3 percent from the line. Samantha Paulsen guided the Jimmies with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Haidyn Crockett added 13, while Jessika Lofstrom and Allie Berns finished with 12. Berns paced the Jimmies on the glass with nine. The Golden Eagles had their second-best defensive performance in terms of score, as they held their second team of the season to 70 points or under. They are 2-0 when accomplishing the defensive note.

Minnesota Crookston raced out to a 5-0 lead following a Klejeski bucket. Jamestown fired back with a 6-0 run as a Crockett triple gave the Jimmies a 6-5 advantage. Jamestown was able to push out to an 11-7 lead on a Paulsen trey. Minnesota Crookston took the lead back 14-13 on a Miller bucket with 5:38 remaining in the first quarter. Minnesota Crookston widened the lead to 18-13 as Miller scored four more points. The Golden Eagles held a 35-27 lead after a Westby basket going into the quarter sojourn.

The Golden Eagles commenced the second stanza on a 9-0 run, using a Westby trey to extend their lead to 44-27. The Jimmies took the deficit to 10 with a Hali Savela basket with 3:39 left in the second quarter. Minnesota Crookston pushed the lead to 51-37 after a pair of Miller free throws. Jamestown closed the quarter on a 4-0 run, using a pair of Crockett free throws to cut the deficit to 51-41. 

The Jimmies were able to make it interesting early in the third frame, as they opened the quarter on a 7-2 run to pull within five (53-48) after a pair of Berns free throws. The Golden Eagles extended the lead to 11 with a 6-0 run propelled by a Westby trey. Jessika Lofstrom responded with a triple of her own, to get the lead down to eight. Minnesota Crookston would have a 15-point lead after the third stanza, ending the quarter with a Hope Dudycha (R-Jr., G, Austin, Minn.) trey.

A Crockett triple got the deficit to 12 with 9:07 remaining in the game. Minnesota Crookston took over from there with a 13-1 run culminating with a Westby fastbreak bucket off a Miller assist to make it 91-66. The Golden Eagles controlled the game the rest of the way for a 99-70 victory at home.

Minnesota Crookston remains at home to host Northern State University Saturday, December 20 at 3:30 p.m., at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium.