CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team concluded the regular season with an 87-60 loss to No. 9/11 Concordia University-St. Paul Saturday, February 22 at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium. The evening was highlighted by Emma Miller (Sr., G, Albertville, Minn.) becoming the NSIC's single-season regular-season all-time scoring leader. Miller had 501 points, surpassing Minnesota Duluth's Brooke Olson.
The University of Minnesota Crookston finished the regular season with a 9-19 (7-15 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles matched their 2023-24 season overall wins, and surpassed their conference wins by one. The Golden Eagles make the NSIC Tournament as the No. 12 seed, marking their first appearance in the tournament since 2022-23. Concordia-St. Paul improved to 26-2 (20-2 NSIC). The Golden Bears won the regular-season title with Saturday's win.
Miller had 17 points on 7-of-17 from the field to move past Olson for the single-season record in the NSIC. Miller is third all-time in scoring at Minnesota Crookston. She is five points from surpassing Karna Plaine for second all-time for the Golden Eagles. Miller needs 87 points to break Jamie Zelinsky's all-time scoring mark at Minnesota Crookston.
Saturday was a celebration of Minnesota Crookston's lone senior Nicole Hernandez (R-Sr., F/C, Oak Creek, Wis.). Hernandez had a double-double 16 points, and 10 boards. She is just 15 rebounds away from surpassing Cathy Behr for eighth all-time in career boards. She already holds the single-season and career blocks records.
Natalie Mikrot (Jr., G, Willow River, Minn.) chipped in eight points. Rayna Klejeski (So., F, Barnum, Minn.) had six points, and six boards.
The Golden Eagles shot 21-of-53 for 39.6 percent from the field. They went 6-of-18 for 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 12-of-14 for 85.7 percent from the stripe. They were outrebounded 35-33. Minnesota Crookston finished with 20 turnovers.
The Golden Bears were ignited by 24 points from post Lindsey Becher. Julia Bengston added 13 points. Lydia Haack finished with 12. Megan Gamble, and Ashley Schuelke each had 11.
Concordia-St. Paul shot 28-of-60 for 46.7 percent. The Golden Bears went 6-of-20 for 30.0 percent from distance, and 25-of-29 for 86.2 percent from the stripe.
Concordia-St. Paul used big second and fourth quarters to pick up the win. The Golden Bears outscored the Golden Eagles 26-11 in the second stanza, and 18-9 in the fourth frame.
The Golden Eagles move on to the NSIC Tournament where they will face the University of Sioux Falls at 6 p.m., at the Stewart Center.
