CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team held off a second half charge by Northern State University for a 79-74 victory at Lysaker Gymnasium Thursday, February 6.
Minnesota Crookston improved to 9-15 (7-11 NSIC) with Thursday's win, with their second-consecutive victory this week after Tuesday's road win over Bemidji State University. Northern State fell to 14-9 (11-6 NSIC) with the loss. The Wolves and Golden Eagles split the season series. The Golden Eagles have consecutive wins at home against Northern State.
The Golden Eagles led by 20 at the half, but held off a big second half by the Wolves, including a 22-10 third quarter by Northern State.
Minnesota Crookston had all five starters score in double figures Thursday, as they accounted for all 79 of the team's points in the victory. Riley Jenkins (R-So., G/F, Galesburg, Ill.) paced the Golden Eagles with a season-high 25 points on 8-of-13 from the field, and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Willow Thiel (Fr., F, Perham, Minn.) notched her best game since November 16 with 19 points, and five points on 7-of-14 from the field. Nicole Hernandez (R-Sr., F/C, Oak Creek, Wis.) added 13 points, nine rebounds, and two blocked shots. Hernandez needs just six blocked shots to set the school record in blocked shots, surpassing Isieoma Odor. In addition, she moved past 500 rebounds in a career, and surpassed Jamie Zelinsky for ninth all-time.
Emma Miller (Jr., G, Albertville, Minn.) chipped in with 12 points, including a last second heave of nearly 80 feet released with 0.2 seconds left on the clock heading into halftime. Miller moved past Isieoma Odor for fourth all-time with 1,528 career points. She needs just 32 points to surpass Katrina (Moenkedick) Nordick for third all-time. Hope Dudycha (R-So., G, Austin, Minn.) added 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists. The Golden Eagles were 27-of-66 for 40.9 percent from the field, and 10-of-21 for 47.8 percent from beyond the arc. The U of M Crookston went 15-of-20 from the charity stripe. The Golden Eagles were outrebounded 47-36, and notched nine assists to 10 turnovers.
Northern State was guided by 27 points from Madelyn Bragg. Rianna Filippi added 16 points, and three assists. Michaela Jewett chipped in 16 points, and 13 boards. Alayna Benike guided the team with 10 boards. The Wolves shot 31-of-71 for 43.7 percent. They were 3-of-21 for 14.3 percent from distance, and 9-of-14 for 64.3 percent from the foul line. They notched 17 assists, to just 12 turnovers.
The Golden Eagles opened the game on a 6-0 run with a Jenkins jumper. Northern State countered with a 6-0 run using a Bragg basket to knot the game 6-6. Minnesota Crookston outscored the Wolves 10-2 to take a 16-8 lead on a Jenkins basket. The Golden Eagles went into the quarter break with a 19-12 lead following a Thiel trey.
The U of M Crookston built off Thiel's trey to open the second stanza on an 8-0 run, going ahead 27-12 on a Miller basket. The Wolves trimmed the deficit to nine (31-22) with a Bragg jumper. The Golden Eagles closed the quarter on an 18-6 run ending with Miller's miracle shot going into the locker room.
Minnesota Crookston took an early 22-point lead after a Hernandez jumper with 7:33 left in the third frame. Northern State closed within eight points (58-50) on a Jewett bucket going into the quarter intermission.
The Golden Eagles pushed out to a 10-point advantage after a fastbreak Miller hoop. Northern State countered with an 8-0 run to pull within two points with 6:20 remaining after a Jewett basket. A Dudycha triple extended the advantage to five points. The Wolves closed within three points with six seconds remaining, but Jenkins iced the game with free throws to win 79-74.
Minnesota Crookston heads to the University of Sioux Falls Friday, February 14 for a 7:30 meeting in Sioux Falls, S.D.
