UMC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL EARNS REDEMPTION IN WIN OVER MINOT STATE

The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Women’s Basketball team committed just five turnovers while forcing fourteen in a 78-76 win over Minot State in an NSIC game played at Lysaker Gymnasium.

First Quarter –
Mattea Vetsch (Fr., Devils Lake, ND) scored the opening point with a free-throw before a lay-up from Julia Peplinski (Soph., Hustisford, WI) put UMC in front 3-2. Emma Carpenter (Fr., Eagan) made a three-pointer increasing Minnesota Crookston’s lead to 6-2. Vetsch added another jump shot increasing the Golden Eagles’ lead to 8-2. Abby Guidinger (Jr., Waukesha, WI) made a pair of free-throws increasing UMC’s lead to 10-2. Minot State closed the quarter on a 6-0 run as Minnesota Crookston took a 19-16 lead into the second quarter. “I was really pleased that we didn’t turn the ball over and that we took advantage of their turnovers,” noted UMC head coach Mike Roysland. “We had plenty of shot opportunites and chances to pull away, but they hung around.” 

Second Quarter –
The Golden Eagles scored the first nine points of the second quarter capped off by a lay-up from Paige Cornale (Soph., Oak Creek, WI), giving UMC a 28-16 lead. Minot State responded with a 9-0 run pulling within 28-25 with 5:54 to play in the half. The Beavers took a 34-33 lead with 1:28 to play in the half, but UMC scored five of the final seven points in the quarter to take a 38-34 halftime lead. “In the second quarter, we had a chance to really open the lead up,” noted Roysland. “We found a way to get some stops, but just couldn’t separate.”

Third Quarter –
Minnesota Crookston opened up a six-point lead halfway through the third quarter, but Minot State answered back, pulling within two. Emma Carpenter made her second three-pointer of the night, putting the Golden Eagles back ahead 51-46. After Minot State took back the lead, Mary Burke (R-Fr., Virginia) scored a lay-up with 12-seconds left in the quarter giving the Golden Eagles a 53-52 lead going into the final quarter. “I was really worried in the third quarter because we needed somebody to hit a three,” explained Roysland. “They were setting up a tent in the lane and wouldn’t let any body drive to the rim. We needed somebody to step forward, and Mattea (Vetsch) and Mary (Burke) did in the fourth quarter.”

Fourth Quarter –
Mattea Vetsch opened up the fourth quarter with a three-pointer, but Minot State countered with a 5-0 run to take a 57-56 lead. Vetsch knocked down her second triple of the quarter with 6:42 to play, giving UMC a 63-60 lead with 6:42 to play. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch before Minot State pulled ahead 72-69 with a three-pointer with 2:52 to play. Mary Burke responded with four-straight points giving the Golden Eagles a 73-72 lead with 1:59 to play. After Minot State tied the game at 73, Mary Burke made a three-pointer giving UMC a 76-73 lead. Minot State was unable to tie the game with costly turnovers in the closing minutes as the Golden Eagles closed out the win at the free-throw line for a 78-76 victory. “We needed a win so badly, just for a boost of confidence,” explained Roysland. “We’ve been hanging around with a couple of teams, but haven’t been able to get it done. Today we took it right down to the wire, but at the end of the day, we got the win. That’s the most important thing right now. I was just happy we had some resiliency after a tough loss last night. We’re finding somethings as we go and just feel really grateful that we got a win.” 

Minnesota Crookston improves to 3-15 overall and 2-12 in NSIC play. The Golden Eagles return to the court Friday when UMC hosts Southwest Minnesota State at 5:30 P.M. on KROX. Minot State falls to 4-14 overall and 1-13 in conference play.