The University of Minnesota-Crookston women’s basketball team’s offense went cold in the final minutes and lost to the Minot State Beavers 59-56 in a Northern Sun Conference game played on Gary Senske court in Lysaker Gymnasium on the University of Minnesota Crookston campus.
FIRST QUARTER –
UMC opened up the game with an Emma Miller (Jr. Albertville) three-pointer. Minot State responded with five straight points before the Golden Eagles’ Nicole Hernandez (Sr. Oak Creek, Wis) basket to tie the game at 5-5. Minot State answered with a basket before Halle Winjum (Fresh. Crookston) made a three-pointer for an 8-7 lead three minutes into the game. Minot State dominated the final seven minutes of the quarter on an 11-3 run to take an 18-11 lead.
SECOND QUARTER –
Minot State continued to build on their lead at the start of the second quarter with a 6-3 run for a 24-14 lead. UMC’s offense finally started to click as they went on a 6-0 run with baskets from Willow Thiel (Fresh. Perham), and Hope Dudycha (Soph. Austin), and two free throws by Riley Jenkins (Soph. Galesburg, Ill.) to get within a 24-20 deficit. The teams exchanged baskets and Minot State built a 33-24 lead. With three minutes left in the half, the Golden Eagles started a 6-0 run with four points from Rayna Klejeski (Soph. Barnum) and a basket from Miller to bring UMC within a 33-30 deficit going into halftime.
THIRD QUARTER –
UMC started the third quarter on a 6-3 run with four points from Miller and a basket from Jenkins to tie the game at 36-36 two minutes into the half. Minot State slowly built a lead and had a 45-40 lead with 2:06 left in the quarter. UMC’s Miller made a basket, and after a Minot State basket, the Golden Eagles Brynlea Mahlen (Fresh. Fosston) made a three-pointer, and Minot State took a 47-45 lead into the fourth quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER –
Minot State started the fourth quarter with a basket before UMC’s offense started to heat up. Natalie Mikrot (Jr. Willow River) made a three-pointer, Jenkins made a jump shot, and Miller made another three-pointer to cap an 8-0 run for a 55-49 lead with 4:48 left in the game. As good as UMC’s offense was to start the quarter, it went cold the rest of the game as Minot State went on a 10-0 run to take a 59-55 lead with 22 seconds remaining. UMC missed all seven shots they took during the Beaver run. The Golden Eagles tried three three-pointers in the final 15 seconds and Miller was fouled on a shot attempt with two seconds remaining. She made the first free throw and tried to miss the second free throw, but missed the rim and Minot State got the ball and won the game 59-56.
UMC drops to 7-14 overall and 5-10 in the NSIC and will travel to Bismarck, North Dakota on Saturday. Minot State improves to 7-15 overall and 6-9 in the NSIC.
Listen to postgame comments from UMC head coach Natalie Moynehan:
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
Minot State | 18 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 59 |
UMC | 11 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 56 |
For UMC | Points | Rebounds | Assists/Steals |
Emma Miller | 25 | 9 | 3 assists/1 steal |
Riley Jenkins | 10 | 11 | 2 assists/1 steal |
Rayna Klejeski | 4 | 4 | 1 assists/1 steal |
Willow Thiel | 4 | 2 | |
Halle Winjum | 3 | 1 | 1 assist |
Natalie Mikrot | 3 | ||
Brynlea Mahlen | 3 | 1 block | |
Hope Dudycha | 2 | 4 | 6 assists/1 steal |
Nicole Hernandez | 2 | 8 | 2 assists/2 blocks |








