UMC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RALLY FALLS SHORT IN 79-69 LOSS AT KEARNEY

The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) Women’s Basketball team failed to overcome a 43-28 halftime deficit despite a late rally in a 79-69 loss against the University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, Nebraska.

Minnesota Crookston opened the scoring with a three-pointer from Mary Burke (R-Fr., Virginia) giving the Golden Eagles a 3-0 lead. Both teams traded baskets throughout the opening quarter before Nebraska-Kearney scored seven-straight points taking a 20-13 lead. Paige Cornale (Soph., Oak Creek, WI) scored with 0:26 left in the first quarter giving UMC a 20-15 lead.

UMC started the second quarter three-straight points pulling within 20-18. The Lopes countered with a 9-0 run taking a 29-18 lead. Nebraska-Kearney continued to pull ahead before halftime taking a 43-28 lead into halftime.

Paige Cornale made a three-pointer early in the third quarter following a Bren Fox lay-up bringing Minnesota Crookston within 45-33. A Mary Burke three-pointer with 6:33 to play in the third quarter trimming UMC’s deficit down to 49-40. Julia Peplinski (Soph., Hustisford)  scored in the paint for Minnesota Crookston’s next possession making it a 7-point game. Abby Guidinger scored bringing the Golden Eagles within 49-44. Kylea Praska (Soph., Thief River Falls) continued the run with a basket cutting Minnesota Crookston’s deficit down to 49-46. With 1:09 to play in the third quarter, Abby Guidinger (Jr., Waukesha, WI) buried a three-pointer bringing UMC within 55-53.

In the fourth quarter, Alyssa Peterson (Fr., Menahga) made a three-pointer in transition to bring Minnesota Crookston within 63-62 with 7:35 to play. Nebraska-Kearney maintained a tight lead before pulling away late closing out a 79-69 win.

Minnesota Crookston falls to 0-1. The Golden Eagles return to the court on Saturday when UMC plays Northwest Missouri State at 3:30 P.M. in Kearney. Nebraska at Kearney improves to 1-0.