UMC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO SOUTHWEST MN STATE

The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Women’s Basketball team had a slow start and never recovered as the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs cruised to a 99-62 victory in a Northern Sun Conference matchup at Lysaker Gym in Crookston.

FIRST QUARTER –
Southwest started the game on a 23-4 run. UMC responded with an 8-4 run with all eight points scored by Emma Miller (Soph. St. Michael) to get within a 27-12 deficit with 1:36 left in the first quarter. Southwest finished the quarter by scoring the final eight points and took a 35-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Southwest made 12 of 18 shots at a 67 percent mark and made 4 of 9 three-pointers and seven of eight free throws. UMC struggled from the field while making four of 15 shots at a 27 percent clip. UMC continues to struggle to take care of the ball with nine first-quarter turnovers.

SECOND QUARTER
UMC scored the first four points of the second quarter with an Olivia Walsh free throw and a Miller three-pointer to get within a 35-16 deficit. The teams would exchange baskets the rest of the quarter, with nobody scoring more than three points in a row until Southwest scored the final four points of the quarter to take a 54-31 lead into halftime.

THIRD QUARTER
UMC’s Natalie Mikrot (Soph. Willow River) started the second half with the rare four-point play before Southwest responded with a 10- run to take a 64-35 lead. The teams exchanged baskets the rest of the half, and Southwest took a 78-45 lead into the final quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER
The teams exchanged three-pointers to start the quarter, then exchanged baskets before Southwest went on a 6-0 run on three layups for an 89-50 lead with 6:27 remaining. UMC trailed 92-54 when Southwest went on a 7-0 run for a 99-54 lead with four minutes left. UMC scored the final eight points with four different players making baskets, and Southwest won the game 99-62.

UMC drops to 9-9 on the season and 6-6 in conference play and travel to Minnesota Duluth on Friday. Southwest Minnesota State improves to 12-6 overall and 10-2 in the NSIC.