CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women's basketball team fell 71-51 to the University of Minnesota Duluth Tuesday, February 17 at Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Bulldogs shot 49.1 percent from the field, and scored 40 points in the paint. 

Minnesota Crookston dropped to 8-19 (7-14 NSIC) with the loss. The Golden Eagles currently sit in 12th in the NSIC standings, as they fight for the final spots in the NSIC Tournament. If the Golden Eagles beat Bemidji State University Saturday, and Augustana University only wins one against Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State. Minnesota Duluth improved to 18-7 (16-5 NSIC) with the win. The Bulldogs are first in the NSIC North, and second in the overall conference standings.

The Golden Eagles were lifted by Emma Miller (Sr., G, Albertville, Minn.), who scored 13 points on 4-of-18 from the field. Miller is the NSIC's all-time leading scorer with 1,667 points and she has 2,185 career points overall. Rayna Klejeski (Jr., F, Barnum, Minn.) chipped in 12 points on 5-of-11 from the field. Hope Dudycha (Sr., G, Austin, Minn.) notched seven points and four boards. Anna Westby (Fr., F, Eveleth, Minn.) tallied five points and eight boards. She needs 10 blocked shots to surpass Nicole Hernandez's single-season blocks record. Emma Pierson (Fr., G, Cherry Valley, Ill.) added seven points, while Natalie Mikrot (Sr., G, Willow River, Minn.) added five points. 

Minnesota Crookston shot 19-of-60 for 31.7 percent. The Golden Eagles were 4-of-17 for 23.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 9-of-14 for 64.3 percent from the line. They had seven assists to 18 turnovers, and were outrebounded 39-32. The Golden Eagles finished with 12 offensive boards.

Minnesota Duluth was guided by 20 points from Claire Bjorge on 9-of-15 from the field. Myra Moorjani added 15 points on 5-of-10 from the field. Karly Jusczak came off the bench for 14 points and eight boards, while Ashley Fritz added eighth.

The Bulldogs shot 27-of-55 for 49.1 percent. They went 5-of-23 for 21.7 percent from beyond the arc. UMD shot 12-of-14 from the line for 85.7 percent.They had 15 assists to 19 turnovers.

The Golden Eagles held an early 4-2 lead after a Westby jumper. The two squads were tied 9-9 at the end of the stanza, as Minnesota Crookston closed the quarter with a Klejeski bucket.

The Bulldogs opened the second quarter with an 11-2 run as a Jusczak bucket pushed the lead to 20-11. Minnesota Duluth outscored the Golden Eagles 14-10 for the remainder of the second quarter to lead 34-21 at the half.

A Dudycha triple pulled Minnesota Crookston within 10 early in the third quarter. UMD went on a 13-2 run, using a Bjorge bucket to take a 47-26 lead with 5:10 remaining in the third frame. A Miller basket cut the deficit to 17. Minnesota Duluth went into the quarter intermission with a 21-point advantage.

The Golden Eagles trimmed the deficit to 16 with a Westby bucket early in the fourth, but were unable to pull any closer as Minnesota Duluth won 71-51. 

Minnesota Crookston finishes the regular season on the road at Bemidji State University Saturday, February 21 at 1:30 p.m., in Bemidji, Minn.