GOLDEN EAGLES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAY WELL, FALTER LATE AGAINST UND

The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Golden Eagles Women’s Basketball team finished off their exhibition schedule against the University of North Dakota on Thursday Night. The Golden Eagles stood strong for the first 28 minutes, but the Fighting Hawks turned up the pressure in the final 12 minutes of the game to come away with an 81-61 victory in a game played at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

First Quarter
UMC started off really well with a quick 7-0 run on a steal and score from Kylie Post (Sr. Corcoran), a three-pointer from Mary Burke (Sr. Virginia), and a couple of free throws from Post. UND answered back nicely though, with a 12-0 run. A couple of layups from Abi Fraaza (Fresh. Birnamwood, WI) and a three from Jes Mertens (So. Devils Lake, ND) took the lead back for the Golden Eagles at 15-14. With the teams tied at 20-20, Burke hit another three to beat the buzzer and give UMC a lead to end the first quarter at 23-20.

Second Quarter
After two buckets by the Fighting Hawks, Abigail Leach (Jr. Wyoming) drilled a couple of threes to give UMC a five point lead and force UND into a timeout. After a quick 5-0 run from the Fighting Hawks, the teams traded baskets before another 5-0 run, this time for the Golden Eagles, including a big three from Alex Page (Fresh. Grand Forks) for a 36-31 lead. The final four minutes saw just one basket from either side before a buzzer-beating layup for UND and the score at halftime was 38-35 in favor of UMC.

Third Quarter
North Dakota used an early run in the quarter to gain a 42-40 lead. UMC had a possession shortly after that included four offensive rebounds, but they missed all five shots and ended up scoreless. Still, UMC stuck around thanks to another three from Burke to keep it within a couple of points. UND had their largest lead of the game at six points, but two free throws from Post and a layup from Fraaza cut the deficit back to two. However, the Fighting Hawks finished the quarter strong with a 7-0 run to take a 59-50 lead into the final quarter of play.

Fourth Quarter
Turnovers and fouls continued to plague the Golden Eagles in the fourth quarter as UND turned the 7-0 run into a 15-0 run to grab a commanding 67-50 lead. The run ended with two free throws and a layup from Bren Fox (RS Jr. Norwood Young America). North Dakota would answer each time the UMC would score and maintain their distance. In the final 6:51, the Golden Eagles would go without a made field goal as their final seven points of the game came from the free throw line and the Fighting Hawks grew their final lead to 20 points and won the game 81-61.

After facing two D-1 programs in exhibition play, the Golden Eagles will head down to Maryville, Missouri for their first games of the season that count towards their record with Nebraska-Kearney and NW Missouri State next Friday and Saturday.