UMC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS AGAIN TO #6 RANKED UMD

The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) was within one point in the last minute of the game before #6 ranked Minnesota Duluth pulled away for a 72-64 win.

First Half
The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) trailed after the first quarter 21-10 despite the efforts of Bren Fox (Jr-Norwood Young America) who had six points and five rebound. UMC came out strong in the second quarter with Alyssa Peterson (Soph-Menahga) hit a three point shot, then a rebound and fed Mary Burke (Soph-Mountain Iron-Buhl) for a basket and all of a sudden it was 21-15. Freshman Jen Mertens (Devils Lake, N.D.) got into the offense, nailing a three and a couple free throws and with a minute to go it was 30-23.  With 40 some seconds to go Merten’s hit another jumper and was fouled and made the free throw for an old fashioned three point play and the Golden Eagles cut the Duluth margin to 32-26. The Golden Eagles were able to get the ball at the end of the half and Haylee Wheeler (Fresh-Lakeville) sank a 12 footer to send it to half-time with the University Minnesota Duluth leading the University of Minnesota Crookston 32-28!

Second Half
Neither team shot very well to start the second half although Minnesota Duluth went on a small run to take a 44-34 in first five minutes. Later in the third quarter nobody scored for over two and a half minutes before Fox banked in a lay uo with just under three minutes left in the quarter. After both teams cooled off, the Golden Eagles caught fire. They had made 2 or 13 three’s up to the fourth quarter and then they hit four of them in the second half!! UMC cut the Duluth lead 66-64 with a minute and a half left of regulation. As throughout the game, everytime UMC would get close, the Bulldogs would make a couple baskets and widen their lead. Fox made a basket, but the Bulldogs came right back with a ice cold three and a couple free throws with 37 seconds left Duluth lead 70-64 and they ran it out to a 72-64 win over UMC.
The Golden Eagles brought up their shooting percentage in the second half but so did Minnesota Duluth who ended up shooting 46 percent and had two more three pointers than UMC. The Golden Eagles were led by Jen Mertens with 21 points while Bren Fox added 16 points and eight rebounds. Minnesota-Duluth’s leading scorer Brooke Olson had 16 points, six rebounds and three assists. UMC is now 3-9 on the season and 3-7 in the Northern Sun Conference and will be at St. Cloud State next Friday and Saturday. Minnesota Duluth improves to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the conference. Duluth will host Bemidji State next Friday and Saturday.