SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team fell 100-64 to the University of Sioux Falls Friday, January 23 at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. Sioux Falls shot 57.1 percent and connected on 15 three-pointers in the win.
Minnesota Crookston dropped to 5-14 (4-9 NSIC) with Friday's road loss. Sioux Falls improved to 9-10 (6-7 NSIC) and snapped a seven-game losing streak. The Cougars have won the last five games in the series dating back to a January 27, 2023 win in Crookston.
The Golden Eagles were led by 14 points from Emma Miller (Sr., G, Albertville, Minn.) on 5-of-14 from the field, and 2-of-8 from beyond the arc. Miller needs 97 points to surpass Minnesota Duluth's Brooke Olson for the NSIC scoring record. Rayna Klejeski (Jr., F, Barnum, Minn.) added 12 points and five boards on 5-of-10 from the field. Hope Dudycha (R-Jr., G, Austin, Minn.) came off the bench for 11 points on 4-of-6 from the field, while Emma Pierson (Fr., G, Cherry Valley, Ill.) had a career-high eight points.
Minnesota Crookston shot 24-of-65 for 36.9 percent. They went 7-of-24 for 29.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 9-of-12 for 75.0 percent from the line. Minnesota Crookston had 10 assists to 17 turnovers. The Golden Eagles were narrowly outrebounded 39-38. Minnesota Crookston had 13 offensive boards guided by four from Klejeski.
USF had five players score double figures Friday. Alexis Rose paced the Cougars going 12-of-19 from the field, and 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. Anna Vaaler added 24 points on 7-of-13 from the field, and 6-of-8 from distance. Vaaler completed a double-double with 11 boards. Ayla Brown chipped in 14 points and nine assists. Krista Langager added a double-double of 13 points and 10 boards, while Rease Murtaugh notched 10.
The Cougars went 36-of-63 for 57.1 percent. They were lights out from trey, shooting 15-of-28 for 53.6 percent. USF finished 13-of-20 for 65.0 percent from the line. They had 21 assists to 11 turnovers.
Sioux Falls got out to an early 8-5 lead after a Langager bucket with 8:25 remaining in the first quarter. An Anna Vaaler trey made it a 14-1 run for the Cougars as they led 22-6 with 4:51 left in the opening stanza. A Miller triple halted a five-minute stint without a field goal for the Golden Eagles to trim the deficit to 22-9. Minnesota Crookston was able to pull within 24-13 after a Dudycha trey. Sioux Falls ended the first quarter on a 9-2 run to lead 33-15 at the quarter intermission.
Minnesota Crookston cut the deficit to 38-22 on a Westby jumper with 7:44 left in the second stanza. Sioux Falls responded and used a 19-2 run and Rose basket to extend their lead to 57-24. USF went into the locker room with a 62-29 advantage.
The Golden Eagles played it closer in the third quarter, but were outscored 17-16, trailing 79-45 at the break.
The Cougars picked up the 100-64 victory after narrowly outsourcing the Golden Eagles in the fourth frame 21-19.
Minnesota Crookston remains on the road to face Southwest Minnesota State University Saturday, January 24 at 5 p.m., in Marshall, Minn.
