Women's Basketball | 12/30/2025 11:10:00 AM

• THE MINNESOTA CROOKSTON women's basketball team opens the new year and they are trying to keep up their positive momentum going into break after back-to-back home wins. The Golden Eagles enter the week with a 3-9 (2-5 NSIC) mark. They are currently in a three-way tie for sixth in the NSIC North with Northern State and Jamestown, and one game back from MSU Moorhead and Bemidji State. The Golden Eagles outscored their foes 82.0-64.0 in the final week of games in 2025. They come in averaging 67.3 points per game and allowing 76.8 to their foes. They are shooting 40.7 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 75.1 percent from the stripe. They are being outrebounded 41.1-32.8 this season, and are averaging 10.8 assists and 13.9 turnovers per tilt.

• 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 earlier this season. She is now moving up the charts in the NSIC record books. Miller currently is fourth all-time in the NSIC with 1,396 points. Miller needs 23 points to break into the top three and surpass Anika Whiting of Concordia-St. Paul. The record stands at 1,615 points in NSIC play, set by Brooke Olson of Minnesota Duluth from 2018-23. Miller comes in averaging 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Her assists per game are the highest of her career. Miller is shooting 36.7 percent from the field, 26.0 percent from distance, and 79.7 percent from the stripe. She is the reigning NSIC Player of the Week after securing 33 points against Jamestown, and 20 versus Northern State in a pair of wins.

• WATCH OUT FOR WESTBY. Anna Westby, a freshman from Eveleth, Minn., has been a key player for the Golden Eagles, and has really come into her own in recent games. Westby is a factor both offensively and defensively. She is averaging 15.0 points per game in her last six including tallying 20 points against Minot State, and 21 versus Jamestown. Westby averaged 5.5 rebounds per game in back-to-back games against Jamestown and Northern State. She also tallied four blocked shots per game against the Jimmies and Wolves. Westby comes into the week notching 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocked shots per tilt. She is shooting 45.8 percent from the field, and 38.5 percent from distance.

• 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 5.6 boards per game in 12 starts in her junior campaign. Klejeski is shooting 47.8 percent from the field, and an impressive 66.7 percent from deep on just 12 attempts. She is shooting 82.9 percent from the line. Klejeski has six games with double-digit scoring. She is coming off 13 points in a win over Northern State. She has four games with eight rebounds this season.

• JENKINS JOTTINGS. Riley Jenkins, a 5-10 wing from Galesburg, Ill., was a All-NSIC Second Team selection last season, and continues to be an important player for the Golden Eagles during the 2025-26 season. Jenkins comes in averaging 10.7 points and 5.6 boards per game. She is hitting at a 31.7 percent clip from distance this season. Jenkins had an important role in wins over Jamestown and Northern State. She averaged 16.0 points in the games, going 12-of-24 for 50.0 percent from the field. Jenkins broke out of a bit of a slump with her performances against the Jimmies and Wolves, as she hadn't scored in double figures for four games going into the Jamestown game. Jenkins has seven double-digit scoring games this season.

• EARNING HER STARTS. Sophomore guard Halle Winjum, a Crookston-native, is a player who gives high effort every time she is on the court and does a lot of the little things. She has started the last three games and has made major impacts in her last four tilts. Winjum is averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in her last four games. She had 11 points on 4-of-11 from the field, and 3-of-7 from deep against Minot State. Winjum notched six points and five rebounds in a win over Jamestown.

• WATCH OUT FOR HOPE. Redshirt junior guard Hope Dudycha, an Austin, Minn. native, moved to the bench in the last three games but is still finding an impact. Dudycha came off the bench for nine points on 2-of-4 from the field, and 2-of-3 from deep in the win over Northern State. Her best game this season came with 16 points on 6-of-11 from the field versus Bemidji State. Dudycha will look to make an impact whether she is starting or coming off the bench.

• BRYNLEA OFF THE BENCH. Brynlea Mahlen, who grew up around the program with her Dad Nate Mahlen, a former Golden Eagle assistant coach and current assistant athletic director. Mahlen has played an increasing role in the last five games, averaging 15.8 minutes per game. Mahlen had five points and two rebounds against Minot State December 13, and five points and three boards in a win over Jamestown December 17.

• AT HOME. Minnesota Crookston comes in with a 3-3 mark in games at Lysaker Gymnasium this season. The Golden Eagles are coming off back-to-back home wins over Jamestown and Northern State. They also have a home victory over Black Hills State University. They will look to improve their home mark against MSU Moorhead and South Dakota Mines.

• CONFERENCE PLAY. The Golden Eagles are looking to ride positive conference momentum into the game against the Dragons, after defeating Jamestown and Northern State. MSU Moorhead is also coming off back-to-back wins against the same opponents. The Golden Eagles come in with a 2-5 NSIC mark. They posted a 7-15 conference record in 2024-25.

• NON-CONFERENCE PLAY. The Golden Eagles conclude non-conference play against South Dakota Mines. They have posted a 1-4 mark in non-conference games in 2025-26, with their lone win coming against South Dakota Mines. They are looking to improve to 3-0 against teams from South Dakota, with wins over Black Hills State and Northern State already this season.

• AGAINST MSU MOORHEAD. The Dragons own the all-time record against the Golden Eagles 39-9. Minnesota Crookston is 2-2 in their last four games against the Dragons. They won the last time at home December 14, 2023 with a 72-67 win at Lysaker Gymnasium. Six of the nine victories over MSU Moorhead have come in the last 10 seasons.

• AGAINST SOUTH DAKOTA MINES. Minnesota Crookston has only played South Dakota Mines once, recording a 74-55 victory in Rapid City, S.D., over the Hardrockers November 22, 2024. The Golden Eagles will look to continue their fine play against South Dakota Mines Sunday. 


MSU MOORHEAD. The Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons come into the weekend with a 6-5 (3-4 NSIC) mark. They are currently one spot ahead of the Golden Eagles in the NSIC North, making it a pivotal game Saturday. They defeated Minnesota Crookston in Moorhead 74-58 November 25. The Dragons look a little different from early in the season, as they have had key injuries to Abby John, who was averaging 11.3 points per game, and Abby Berge who was averaging 11.0 points per tilt. MSU Moorhead is coming off back-to-back wins over Northern State and Jamestown.  They enter the week averaging 72.2 points per game, and allowing 65.3 to their foes. They are shooting 40.3 percent from the field, 25.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 69.5 percent from the stripe. MSU Moorhead is outrebounding foes 39.8-34.1. They are notching 11.4 assists per game to 13.3 turnovers per tilt.

TERRYN IT UP. Terryn Johnson, a 6-2 post from Kindred, N.D., leads the way for the Dragons. She comes in averaging 13.0 points and 7.0 boards per tilt. Johnson is shooting an impressive 54.2 percent from the field. She had a season-high 24 points against Northern State December 18 on 9-of-11 from the field. In the earlier game with the Golden Eagles, Johnson had 18 points and seven boards on 6-of-12 from the field. She has scored in double figures in eight games in 2025-26.

A LITTLE GRACE. With the injuries to John and Berge, Grace Massaquoi has stepped up in recent games. In the wins over Northern State and Jamestown, the 5-10 junior guard tallied 15.0 points per game, and 4.5 rebounds per tilt on 10-of-20 from the field. Massaquoi also had 21 points earlier this season against Minnesota Duluth. She was 10-of-13 from the foul line in the wins over the Wolves and Jimmies.

SIZING UP SAFRANSKI. Ashton Safranski is the straw that stirs the drink for the Dragons. Safranski is averaging 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game for MSU Moorhead. Safranski is shooting 37.5 percent from the field, but hasn't been a substantial deep threat, hitting at just a 21.3 percent clip. The Fargo, N.D. native had a season-high 21 versus UMary December 13. She is coming off 14 points against Jamestown December 20.

SOUTH DAKOTA MINES. The Golden Eagles wrap up their non-conference games this season with a Sunday tilt with South Dakota Mines. The Hardrockers are 4-7 overall, but 3-1 in the RMAC. South Dakota Mines averages 63.1 points per game, while allowing 66.4 to their foes. They are shooting 38.7 percent from the field, and 31.0 percent from deep. They are hitting at a 74.6 percent clip from the stripe. The Hardrockers are being outrebounded 34.6-29.1 this season. They average 12.4 assists to 14.1 turnovers per game. South Dakota Mines is in their first season coached by former Missouri and Illinois standout Kyley Bachand.

STOPPING SAVEA. Savea Mansfield, a 5-11 senior forward is the key player for the Hardrockers. Mansfield is averaging 16.5 points, and 4.8 rebounds per game. She is shooting 50.0 percent from the field, and 27.8 percent from distance on 18 shots. Mansfield is an 81.7 percent free throw shooter. She has been consistent, scoring double figures in all 11 games including 30 points against Black Hills State.

SLOW DOWN SPOTTED BEAR. Morning Grace Spotted Bear has been a crucial player for the Hardrockers. She comes in tallying 12.1 points and 6.0 boards per game. Spotter Bear is shooting 35.6 percent from the field, and 27.3 percent from distance. She was held to just five points last time out against Nebraska Kearney. She had a season-high 21 points against St. Mary's (Texas) in the season-opening game.

MIRANDA MIXING IT UP. Addison Miranda comes in averaging 10.7 points per game for South Dakota Mines in 11 starts. She is the most potent three-point shooter for the Hardrockers, hitting at a 40.3 percent clip. Miranda will take mostly three pointers as 77-of-98 (78.6 percent) of her shots are from trey. She is also an 84.6 percent free throw
shooter. Miranda averaged 11 points per game in their last two games against CSU Pueblo and Nebraska Kearney. 


MINNESOTA CROOKSTON GOLDEN EAGLES
Head Coach: Natalie Moynihan
Career Record: 21-47 (Third Season at Minnesota Crookston)

MSU MOORHEAD DRAGONS
Head Coach: Karla Nelson
Career Record: 432-278 (26th Season at MSU Moorhead)

SOUTH DAKOTA MINES HARDROCKERS
Head Coach: Kyley Bachand
Career Record: 4-7 (First Season at South Dakota Mines)

GAMEDAY

MSU MOORHEAD AT MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Saturday, January 3
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

SOUTH DAKOTA MINES AT MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
DATE: Sunday, January 4
TIME: 1 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


WEEKLY SNAPSHOT

MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
Projected Starters
Sr. PG 1 Emma Miller (5-1, Albertville, Minn.) 18.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.9 APG
So. SG 10 Halle Winjum (5-6, Crookston, Minn.) 3.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG
R-Jr. 3G 30 Riley Jenkins (5-10, Galesburg, Ill.) 10.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.3 APG
Fr. SF 12 Anna Westby (5-11, Eveleth, Minn.) 11.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 BPG
Jr. PF 14 Rayna Klejeski (6-0, Barnum, Minn.) 10.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG
Top Bench Contributors
R-Jr. G 2 Hope Dudycha (5-5, Austin, Minn.) 5.3 PPG, 1.2 RPG
Jr. F 4 Tayden Hanks (5-11, Los Lunas, N.M.) 2.7 PPG, 1.6 RPG

MSU MOORHEAD
Projected Starters
So. PG 14 Ashton Safranski (5-7, Fargo, N.D.) 10.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.9 APG
Jr. SG 8 Karlee Fisher (5-8, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) 5.8 PPG, 1.7 RPG
R-Jr. 3G 3 Adie Wagner (5-7, Fargo, N.D.) 1.9 PPG, 1.0 RPG
So. SF 35 Caylin Kelly (5-11, Clark, S.D.) 9.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG
Sr. PF 22 Terryn Johnson (6-2, Kindred, N.D.) 13.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG
Top Bench Contributors
Jr. G 1 Grace Massaquoi (5-10, Minneapolis, Minn.) 8.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG
Fr. G 32 Aubrey Morrison (5-6, Walker, Minn.) 8.2 PPG, 1.6 RPG
So. F/C 5 Ayelishka Teko-Folly (6-0, Rosemount, Minn.) 2.3 PPG, 1.8 RPG

SOUTH DAKOTA MINES
Projected Starters
Jr. PG 42 Carolina Ruiz Molina (5-5, Coslada, Spain) 5.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG
Fr. SG 21 Addison Miranda (5-8, Milwaukee, Wis.) 10.7 PPG, 2.1 RPG
Sr. 3G 14 Alexis Backhaus (5-10, Windsor, Colo.) 4.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG
Sr. SF 3 Savea Mansfield (5-11, Washougal, Wash.) 16.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG
R-Jr. PF 23 Morning Grace Spotted Bear (6-0, Billings, Mont.) 12.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.5 APG
Top Bench Contributors
Gr. G 11 Emma Martin (5-7, Mountain Home, Ark.) 4.1 PPG, 1.5 RPG
R-So. G 1 Samantha Darnell (5-9, Windsor, Colo.) 1.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG
Fr. G 10 Abigail Dille (5-9, Julesburg, Colo.)  

KEYS TO THE WEEKEND

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

- Can the Golden Eagles build off their positive momentum going into the break?

- Can Emma Miller build off a great week against Jamestown and Northern State?

- What kind of factor offensively and defensively will Anna Westby be?

- Can the Golden Eagles get a crucial home win against the Dragons?