UMC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LOSES HEARTBREAKER TO UNIVERSITY OF MARY

The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Golden Eagles Women’s Basketball team was looking to bounce back this evening against the University of Mary Marauders out of Bismarck, N.D. UMC fell in a close game to the Minot State University Beavers last night, which left them still looking for their first NSIC win of the season. The Marauders were undefeated at home coming into the contest, and that is still the case after they used a 14-0 run in the second half and scored the games last five points to win a nail bitter 74-73

FIRST-QUARTER –

The Marauders came out firing scoring the first seven points of the game before an Abi Fraaza free throw, Mary Burke (Sr. Virginia, Minn.) jump shot, and an Emma Carpenter and one made it 9-6 Marauders with 6:17 remaining in the quarter. After the Marauders scored the next four, UMC would go on a 15-3 run in the final five minutes to take a 21-16 lead into the second quarter. Alex Page (Fr. Grand Forks, N.D.), Jes Mertens (So. Devils Lake, N.D.), Kylie Post (Sr. Corcoran, Minn.), and Bren Fox (Jr. Norwood Young America, Minn.), all scored during the run. UMC shot 46% and outrebounded the Marauders 13-10 to help take the lead after ten minutes.

SECOND-QUARTER –

Kylie Post (Sr. Corcoran, Minn.) got the scoring starting in the second quarter for UMC, on a made layup pushing the Golden Eagles lead to 23-16. The Marauders would score the next four, but UMC answered with a Kylea Praska (Sr. Thief River Falls, Minn.) layup, and after a University of Mary layup, UMC led 25-22 with 6:35 remaining until halftime. Alex Page (Fr. Grand Forks, N.D.) knocked down a pair of free throws making it 27-22 Golden Eagles, and from there UMC continued to slowly build their lead the rest of the half. Emma Carpenter (Jr. Eagan, Minn.) began to take over, scoring the Golden Eagles next eight points to help stretch the lead to 35-24 with just 2:23 remaining in the half. The teams traded a few baskets before the end of the half, and a Marauders three right before the buzzer sounded made it 39-31 UMC heading into the break. UMC shot 15 free throws in the first twenty minutes and was led by Emma Carpenter (Jr. Eagan, Minn.) with 13 points.

THIRD-QUARTER –

Both teams come out of the locker room and were able to score early. The Marauders got an and-one to begin the quarter, and Abi Fraaza (Fr. Birnamwood, Wis.) quickly responded with a layup of her own making it 41-34 UMC. After a Marauder layup, Mary Burke (Sr. Virginia, Minn.) would score five straight giving UMC a 46-36 lead. Emma Carpenter (Jr. Eagan, Minn.) would follow that up with another three of her own giving the Golden Eagles their largest lead of the game at 49-36 with 6:03 to play in the third quarter. The lead would remain around 13 points until the Marauders would end the quarter on a 10-0 scoring run to make it 53-51 UMC heading into the final quarter of play. There were a couple of questionable calls during the run that went in favor of the Marauders to help them pull back within two points. “It really seemed like the game flipped during that run,” said UMC Head Coach Mike Roysland. “We never got a call when they reviewed a play and the momentum really swung in their favor.”

FOURTH-QUARTER –

The University of Mary would score the first four points of the final quarter before a Mary Burke (Sr. Virginia, Minn.) jumper put an end to a Marauders 14-0 run and tied the game at 55-55. The teams traded baskets the next several minutes. The Marauders took a 62-60 lead, but Mary Burke (Sr. Virginia, Minn.) quickly responded splashing in a three to give UMC a 1-point advantage with 4:15 remaining in the game. After a Marauders free throw, Abi Fraaza (Fr. Birnamwood, Wis.) cashed in a triple giving UMC a 66-63 lead. After two baskets from the Marauders, Kylie Post (Sr. Corcoran, Minn.) answered with a free throw. Tying the game at 67-67. The next time down Kylie Post (Sr. Corcoran, Minn.) would score again, giving the Golden Eagles a 69-67 lead. The Marauders would respond with a layup of their own to tie the game once again 69-69. With one minute to play, UMC would get a Kylie Post (Sr. Corcoran, Minn.) layup, and Bren Fox (Jr. Norwood Young America, Minn.) jumper to take a 73-69 lead with just 44 seconds remaining. However, the Marauders stole the game late, scoring the last five points for a 74-73 victory. The Marauders would answer with a three on the following possession, and after two missed free throws, would score a layup with 4 seconds left to take a 1-point lead. Jes Mertens (So. Devils Lake, N.D.) had one final look at the buzzer, but it wouldn’t drop, as UMC lost a heartbreaker. “This one certainly stings,” said UMC Head Coach Mike Roysland. “We had our chances. Missed some free throws down the stretch and at the end of the day someone needs to step up and make a play.”

UMC falls to 1-12 on the season and 0-7 in NSIC play. They will be off for two weeks now until they battle Bemidji State, in a game that will be played in Bemidji on January 2. “Hopefully the kids can spend some time with family over Christmas and get a little break from basketball,” said UMC Head Coach Mike Roysland. “Will be ready to get back to work when they come back on campus and will get ready for the second half of the season.” University of Mary improves to 8-7 and 3-4 in NSIC play.