Marshall, Minn. -- Number 12 seed Minnesota Crookston travelled to number five seed Southwest Minnesota State on Wednesday night for the first round of the NSIC tournament.
SMSU used a massive final quarter to pull away for the 12 point win, 77-65. The Mustangs advance to the quarterfinals of the NSIC tournament.
It would be an outstanding start for the Golden Eagles, who would score on their first possession of the game, as
Rayna Klejeski (Jr., C, Barnum, Minn.) would connect on a layup for an early 2-0 lead.
SMSU would take a 7-4 lead, but
Anna Westby (Fr., F, Eveleth, Minn.) would bury a jumper for a one point deficit.
The Mustangs would take a 13-6 lead, but back-to-back-to-back threes from
Natalie Mikrot (Sr., G, Willow River, Minn.),
Hope Dudycha (Sr., G, Austin, Minn.) and
Emma Miller (Sr., G, Albertville, Minn.) would give the Golden Eagles a 15-13 lead.
Riley Jenkins (R-Sr., G, Galesburg, Ill.) would bury a jumper to give the Golden Eagles a four point lead after the first 10.
In the second quarter, Miller would score four quick points to give the Golden Eagles a six point lead early in the second, but SMSU would use the free throw line to take a 32-29 lead at the break.
SMSU outscored the Golden Eagles by seven in the second quarter and shot 10 more free throws.
The second half would start wonderfully for the Golden Eagles, who would start the half with seven in a row, highlighted by an old-fashioned three-point play from Jenkins.
The Mustangs would answer nicely and take a 48-42 lead, but Westby would get the Golden Eagles back within four on a pair of free throws.
SMSU would start the fourth quarter on a 9-4 run, taking their largest lead of the night at 59-50, forcing a Natalie Moyhnihan timeout.
Following the timeout, the Golden Eagles would score five straight on a Miller three and a Dudycha layup in transition.
The Mustangs would answer that burst with a 9-0 burst of their own, to take a 66-55 lead late in the fourth quarter.
SMSU would pull away for the victory and advance to the Sanford Pentagon.
Minnesota Crookston was led by Miller, who finished with 25 points. Klejeski finished with 14 points and four rebounds. Dudycha and Westby combined for 17 points in the game.
SMSU shot 8-25 from three in the game.
Miller, Dudycha, Jenkins and Mikrot each played their final game as Golden Eagles on Wednesday night. They represented the program extremely well and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.
