Box Score For a post-game interview with Head Coach Mike Roysland visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lGkl31V1M8

CROOKSTON, Minn. - On a frigid night in Crookston, Minn., the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Golden Eagles 4-2 (1-1 NSIC) fell to the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) Bulldogs 4-2 (1-1) 88-69 at Lysaker Gymnasium. It was a difficult game for the Golden Eagles as they allowed UMD to dominate the boards 54-24. Despite getting the win, the mood will be somber on the UMD bus because sophomore Taylor Dillinger left the game in the second half with a serious injury. Further evaluations at the hospital would come back negative.

Per usual, the Golden Eagles were led by Katrina Moenkedick (So., F, Perham, Minn./Early Childhood Education) and Alexa Thielman (So., G, Buffalo, Minn./Health Science)  who had 15 and 13 points respectively, leading the Golden Eagles as they have for most of the first six games this season. UMC only made 2 threes on the day. One bright spot for the Golden Eagles was their ability to hit free throws. They made 85 percent of their free throws for the game, finishing the game shooting 17-of-20.

Katrina Newman and Hannah Rutten dominated the game for UMD, controlling the post. Newman scored 25 points in 26 minutes of play and Rutten had her third double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Alyssa Kerkhoff also chipped in with seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

The Golden Eagles were led in the first half by reserve player Erika McRoberts (So., F, Byron, Minn./Health Science), marking her best game so far of the 2013-14 season, with 10 points in the first half. The Golden Eagles came into the game averaging 10 three-pointers per game, but did not hit a single one in the first half. They were still able to put up 38 points in the first half by forcing nine turnovers and making 10 of 12 free throws.

UMD won the first half through excellent offensive play by Katrina Newman who led the team in points with 19. Rutten added 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Duluth. UMD dominated the Golden Eagles on the glass in the first half. They out-rebounded UMC 30-15 with 15 offensive boards.

In the second half the Golden Eagles were not able to get much going on the offensive end as they were held to 31 points. This was uncharacteristic for UMC as they came into the game leading the conference in scoring per game. As was the story the entire game, rebounding was a nightmare for the Golden Eagles.

UMD capitalized on their dominance of the boards by scoring 10 of their 21 second chance points in the second half. The Bulldogs largest lead came with 7:43 left in the second half when they led by 24.
Katrina Moenkedick got the game started with a fastbreak layup assisted by Ebony Livingston (So., F, Minneapolis, Minn./Sports and Rec Management).

The high-octane offense of the Golden Eagles continued its inspired play by pushing the pace early scoring 10 points in the first three minutes.

At the first media timeout, UMC lead 12-4. The defense held UMD to 2-12 shooting up to this point.
Coming out of the break Duluth looked motivated. They tied the game up at the 11 minute mark with a score of 20-20. The Golden Eagles had trouble adjusting to the UMD pressure and trapping defense. Over a five minute stretch where UMD outscored UMC 21-10, the Golden Eagles were out-rebounded 9-1.

The rest of the half consisted of back and forth play. UMD went into the half ahead with a score of 47-38.
There was a scary moment very early in the second half as UMD player Taylor Dillinger went down following a charge. She lay on the court for several minutes before being taken off by paramedics. The stoppage of play would last 15 minutes, when all was said and done.

The Bulldogs were able to battle on without their teammate stretching their lead to 13 points at the first media timeout of the second half. It was continued dominance by Katrina Newman and Rutten that spelled doom for the Golden Eagles.

UMD pulled away in the middle of the second half getting an 18 point lead with 14:39 left in the second half.
The Golden Eagles were able to battle back late in the second half with Katrina Newman and Rutten on the bench, but it was all for naught as they fell 88-69.

Now the Golden Eagles must turn their attention to St. Cloud State who were the pre-season north division champions as voted on by the coaches. UMC will look to shackle Jessica Benson as she is averaging a double-double coming into the game.

 For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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The University of Minnesota Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).