Women's Basketball | 12/2/2025 2:05:00 PM

• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON women's basketball team jumps back into conference play this week, as they hit the road to face the University of Minnesota Duluth at Romano Gymnasium Wednesday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m., and host Bemidji State University Saturday, December 6 at 3 p.m. The Golden Eagles enter the game 1-5 (0-1 NSIC) after playing a daunting schedule in the first six tilts. Minnesota Crookston has played three games against Top 20 opponents and have played teams with a combined record of 21-11. The Golden Eagles are averaging 65.5 points per game, while allowing 77.3 per tilt to their foes. They are shooting 39.7 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 74.5 percent from the stripe. They are being outrebounded 42.2-33.0, and averaging 14.5 turnovers per game.

• IT'S EMMA. Miller, the 5-1 senior from Albertville, Minn., has made a name for herself in the NSIC, regionally, and nationally. The two-time All-NSIC First Team selection, and All-Region honoree, set the Minnesota Crookston scoring record last week against Black Hills State, surpassing Jamie Zelinsky. Miller currently has 1,798 career points. She is also moving up on the charts for all-time scoring in the NSIC. She is currently ninth all-time in the NSIC in conference scoring with 1,294 points. Brooke Olson of Minnesota Duluth currently holds the record. Miller is averaging 20.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. She is shooting 39.1 percent from the field, and 81.3 percent from the stripe.

• JENKINS JOTTINGS. Riley Jenkins, a 5-10 wing from Galesburg, Ill., enters the weekend averaging 12.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. She is shooting 45.3 percent from the field, and 43.5 percent from beyond the arc. Jenkins has 468 career points as a Golden Eagle and needs just 32 points to move past the 500-point milestone. She was an All-NSIC Second Team pick in 2024-25 and is looking to continue that production in 2025-26. Jenkins found her touch from beyond the arc on Sunday against Northern Michigan, hitting 4-of-5 on her way to 17 points against the nationally-ranked Wildcats. Jenkins has double-figure scoring in 5-of-6 games in 2025-26.

• FIRE AND RAYNA. Rayna Klejeski, a six-foot junior from Barnum, Minn., has been a key piece for the Golden Eagles in the post as she has made substantial improvement in her third season in the program. Klejeski comes in averaging 10.7 points and 6.0 boards per game. Klejeski is shooting 40.8 percent from the field, and an impressive 66.7 percent from deep on nine shots. Klejeski has three games in double-digit scoring. She had a career-high 17 points against #2 Pittsburg State November 15. Klejeski is coming off 14 points Sunday versus #18 Northern Michigan.

• EAST AND WESTBY. Anna Westby, a freshman from Eveleth, Minn., has jumped right on the scene as a freshman for the Golden Eagles. Westby comes in averaging 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 blocked shots per game. She has been strong both offensively and defensively and continues to come into her own as a freshman. Westby had a season-high five blocked shots last Tuesday against MSU Moorhead to open conference play. She notched a season-high 12 boards against the Dragons, and also tallied her season-high with 14 points. Westby comes into the week with three double-digit scoring performances. She will continue to be a key for the Golden Eagles.

• TRUST ON HOPE. Redshirt junior Hope Dudycha, a 5-5 native of Austin, Minn., has been a key player for the Golden Eagles over the last few seasons. She is coming off her best game of the season with 13 points on 5-of-9 from the field, and 3-of-6 from distance on Sunday against #18 Northern Michigan. Dudycha also picked up three assists against the Wildcats. She also had nine points versus Black Hills State, and six against Nebraska Kearney. She comes in averaging 4.7 points per game. Dudycha will continue to be a major factor for the Golden Eagles throughout the 2025-26 season.

• T HANKS. Junior transfer Tayden Hanks is an important player off the bench so far for the Golden Eagles. She had three points and four boards Saturday against #18 Northern Michigan. She is also important for her defense in the post. Hanks comes in averaging 11.3 minutes per game, with seven points and nine boards in her first season on the roster for Minnesota Crookston.

• WINJUM OFF THE BENCH. Halle Winjum, a native of Crookston, is in her sophomore season for the Golden Eagles. Winjum, a 5-6 guard, comes into the weekend averaging 2.8 points and 3.2 boards per game. A lot of what Winjum does will not show up on the stat sheet with her effort plays, and her defense. Winjum comes in shooting 54.5 percent from the field, and 50.0 percent from distance. She had a season-high eight points against #2 Pittsburg State November 15. She had six points Saturday against #18 Northern Michigan, and tallied three points and five boards versus the Wildcats Sunday.

• AT HOME. Minnesota Crookston is 1-2 at home this season with a win over Black Hills State and losses to Northern Michigan Saturday and Sunday. The Golden Eagles will get a chance to improve their record at home Saturday against Bemidji State.

• ROAD GAMES. Minnesota Crookston comes into the week with an 0-2 mark in true road games with a 73-62 loss at Nebraska Kearney, and a 74-58 loss at MSU Moorhead. They will get a chance to improve their road record against Minnesota Duluth Wednesday at Romano Gymnasium.

• CONFERENCE PLAY. Minnesota Crookston is back into conference play after two non-conference games last
weekend against #18 Northern Michigan. The Golden Eagles are 0-1 in the NSIC after a 74-58 loss at Minnesota State University Moorhead last Tuesday. Minnesota Crookston went 7-15 in conference play during the 2024-25 season.

• AGAINST MINNESOTA DULUTH. The Golden Eagles have not historically found success against the Bulldogs. They come in with a 4-39 mark in the series against Minnesota Duluth. Minnesota Crookston's last win in the series came with a 66-61 victory in Crookston over the Bulldogs January 5, 2019. Minnesota Crookston has only ever won once at Romano Gymnasium with an 83-75 overtime victory February 1, 2002.

• AGAINST BEMIDJI STATE. The Golden Eagles have the series advantage against the Beavers 26-22 all-time.
Minnesota Crookston is 5-1 in their last six games with Bemidji State. The Golden Eagles won last year's came at LysakerGymnasium with a 69-63 result December 6, 2024. The Beavers won 87-70 in Crookston February 8, 2024. Minnesota Crookston is 2-2 in their last four games against Bemidji State in Crookston. 


MINNESOTA DULUTH. The University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball team enters the week with a 3-2 (1-0 NSIC) record. The Bulldogs are coming off a 74-63 win over Bemidji State last Tuesday. UMD is in their 11th season under Head Coach Mandy Pearson. The Bulldogs come in averaging 73.2 points per game, and allowing 68.4 points per tilt to their foes. They are shooting 43.5 percent from the field, and 36.5 percent from beyond the arc. They are hitting at an 84.8 percent clip from the line, and narrowly outrebounding foes 36.0-35.4. They come in averaging 14.2 turnovers per contest.

KEY ON CLAIRE. Sophomore guard Claire Bjorge, a native of De Pere, Wis., has been the scoring leader for UMD thus far. She is averaging 13.6 points per game, and shooting 50.0 percent from the field, and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. Bjorge has scored in double digits in all five games this season, including 20 points against #18 Northern Michigan November 21. She is coming off 10 points versus Bemidji State last Tuesday. She will be a vital cog in the offensive attack for the Bulldogs.

KARGE IN THE POST. Lexi Karge, a 6-2 senior center, guides the Bulldogs inside. She comes in notching 12.0 points, and 4.8 rebounds per game. Karge is hitting at a 47.8 percent clip from the field. She has only taken six three-pointers this season, scoring largely inside. She notched a season-high 19 points against Northern Michigan, and has scored in double digits in the last four games.

MYRA MIXING IT UP.  Myra Moorjani, a 5-8 senior guard, has been a staple in the UMD lineup for several years. She is coming off a fantastic last two games, averaging 18.5 points per game, along with 5.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per tilt. Moorjani is averaging 11.8 points per game, and is shooting 38.5 percent from deep.

BEMIDJI STATE. Bemidji State University enters the week with a 3-2 (0-1 NSIC) mark. Their lone conference loss came to Minnesota Duluth. Bemidji State split last week in Florida with a 68-58 victory over Florida Tech, and a 66-59 loss at Tampa. They are in their 11th season under Head Coach Chelsea Stoltenberg. the Beavers come in averaging 69.2 points per game, and allowing 63.8 points per contest to their foes. They are shooting 39.6 percent from the field, and 32.1 percent from deep. They are hitting at a 76.3 percent clip from the stripe. They are being outrebounded 37.6-35.8, and average 14.4 turnovers per game.

TRANSFER POST. Kassandra Caron, a six-foot transfer post from Missouri Western has come in and made an
immediate impact for the Beavers. Caron, an Eden Prairie, Minn., antive, is notching 17.6 points and 5.8 boards per game. She is shooting 46.0 percent from the field. Caron had 24 points on 7-of-19 from the field against Minnesota Duluth last Tuesday. She has four double-digit games in five tries. She will be a key for the Beavers.

INSTANT IMPACT FOR EPPINGA. Evyn Eppinga, a 5-6 guard who redshirted last season, has come in and made an immediate impact. Eppinga is averaging 13.0 points, and 4.0 rebounds per game. She is shooting 41.1 percent from the field, and 92.3 percent from the stripe. Eppinga tallied a season-high 17 points against Florida Tech, including 8-of-9 from the foul line.

TIERYN IT UP. Tieryn Plasch has been a mainstay in the Bemidji State lineup. The junior guard comes in notching 11.0 points, and 4.8 boards per game. She is shooting 30.3 percent from deep. Plasch had 16 points against both Minnesota Morris and Florida Tech.


MINNESOTA CROOKSTON GOLDEN EAGLES
Head Coach: Natalie Moynihan
Career Record: 19-43 (Third Season at Minnesota Crookston)

MINNESOTA DULUTH BULLDOGS
Head Coach: Mandy Pearson
Career Record: 188-98 (11th Season at Minnesota Duluth)

BEMIDJI STATE BEAVERS
Head Coach: Chelsea Stoltenberg
Career Record: 77-180 (11th Season at Bemidji State)

GAMEDAY

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON AT MINNESOTA DULUTH
DATE: Wednesday, December 3
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
SITE: Duluth, Minn.
ARENA: Romano Gymnasium
LIVE STATS: https://umdbulldogs.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://nsicnetwork.com/umdbulldogs/
TWITTER: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonWBB

BEMIDJI STATE AT MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Saturday, December 6
TIME: 3 p.m.
SITE: Crookston, Minn.
ARENA: Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium
LIVE STATS: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
LIVE VIDEO: https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/
TWITTER: @UMNCrookstonATH/@UMNCrookstonWBB

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

- Who will step up off the bench for the Golden Eagles?

- Can the Golden Eagles be strong on the glass, both defensively and offensively?

- What newcomer can make a major impact this weekend?

- Can the Golden Eagles knock down the three ball?

- Can the Golden Eagles win on the road against UMD?

- Can Minnesota Crookston get a conference home win against Bemidji State?

WEEKLY SNAPSHOT

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
Projected Starters
Sr. PG 1 Emma Miller (5-1, Albertville, Minn.) 20.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.3 APG
R-Jr. SG 2 Hope Dudycha (5-5, Austin, Minn.) 4.7 PPG, 0.7 RPG
R-Jr. 3G 30 Riley Jenkins (5-10, Galesburg, Ill.) 12.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG
Fr. SF 12 Anna Westby (5-11, Eveleth, Minn.) 8.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.3 BPG
Jr. PF 14 Rayna Klejeski (6-0, Barnum, Minn.) 10.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG
Top Bench Contributors
So. G 10 Halle Winjum (5-6, Crookston, Minn.) 2.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG
Jr. F 4 Tayden Hanks (5-11, Los Lunas, N.M.) 1.2 PPG, 1.5 RPG
Sr. G 11 Natalie Mikrot (5-6, Willow River, Minn.) 2.5 PPG, 1.2 RPG

MINNESOTA DULUTH
Projected Starters
So. PG 12 Vanessa Bickford (5-9, Grimes, Iowa) 5.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG
Sr. SG 11 Myra Moorjani (5-8, Eden Prairie, Minn.) 11.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG
So. 3G 23 Claire Bjorge (5-8, De Pere, Wis.) 13.6 PPG, 3.4 RPG
Sr. SF 4 Maria Counts (5-11, Crystal, Minn.) 5.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG
Sr. PF 42 Lexi Karge (6-2, Mankato, Minn.) 12.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG
Top Bench Contributors
Jr. G 31 Ashley Fritz (5-10, Hastings, Minn.) 5.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG
Jr. F 24 Grace Counts (6-1, Crystal, Minn.) 10.8 PPG, 2.0 RPG

BEMIDJI STATE
Projected Starters
Jr. PG 10 Tieryn Plasch (5-7, Lake Nebagamon, Wis.) 11.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG
R-Fr. SG 11 Evyn Eppinga (5-6, Anoka, Minn.) 13.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG
So. 3G 22 Aubrey Heyer (5-11, Chaska, Minn.) 4.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG
Jr. SF 2 Ashlynne Guenther (5-11, Duluth, Minn.) 3.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG
Sr. PF 42 Kassandra Caron (6-0, Eden Prairie, Minn.) 17.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG
Top Bench Contributors
Jr. G 23 Sam Veto (5-11, Moline, Ill.) 4.8 PPG, 1.2 RPG
Sr. G 14 Tiffany Liddie (5-10, Rockwall, Texas) 3.0 PPG, 1.3 RPG
So. G 1 Brooklyn Wood (5-8, Fond du Lac, Wis.) 3.0 PPG, 1.0 RPG
Sr. G 24 Beth Bolte (5-10, Bemidji, Minn.) 2.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG