WINONA STATE SHOOTS 50% ON THREE-POINTERS TO DEFEAT UMC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles Women’s basketball team battled the Winona State Warriors on Saturday evening, as they looked for their first NSIC win of the season. However, the Warriors shot 50% from three-point range and led for over 36 minutes on their way to a 71-59 win over the Golden Eagles. UMC Head Coach Mike Roysland was unavailable to coach, so assistant coach Nate Mahlen took over.

FIRST-QUARTER –

The first ten minutes were filled with plenty of scoring, as the teams traded three-pointers to begin the game. The teams each made their first few shots of the game, and after an Emma Carpenter (Jr. Eagan, Minn.) layup, the game was tied at 7-7. After a Warriors score, Carpenter followed it up with a three-point play giving UMC a 10-9 lead with 4:54 remaining in the first quarter. Winona State began to stroke the basketball and finished the first quarter on a 12-2 scoring run to take a 21-12 lead after ten minutes of play. “They just made shots all game long,” said UMC Coach Nate Mahlen. “I thought our energy and effort was there like it’s always been, but they just made more shots when it mattered throughout the night.”

SECOND-QUARTER –

The second quarter began with a Winona State three, and Carpenter responded with a three of her own making it 24-15 Warriors. After another Warriors three, Mary Burke (Sr. Virginia, Minn.) knocked down two free throws giving Winona State a 27-17 lead. Winona State would go on a 6-0 run before UMC would score six straight of their own. The Golden Eagles run was highlighted by Kylea Praska (Sr. Thief River Falls, Minn.) three, and Jes Mertens (So. Devils Lake, N.D.) layup. Winona State would knock down one more three, and after a Burke layup, UMC would trail 36-25 at the halftime break. UMC was led by Emma Carpenter with 11 points in the first half.

THIRD-QUARTER –

Burke got UMC on the board to begin the third quarter, as she splashed in a three. Winona State would counter with a 7-0 run to take a 43-28 lead with 7:03 to play in the third quarter. Alex Page (Fr. Grand Forks, N.D.) would score four straight points of her, making the score 43-32 Warriors. Every time UMC would start to get close, Winona State would have an answer, and the lead remained around ten points the entire quarter. “They made some really difficult shots in situations where I thought our defense was pretty good,” said UMC Coach Nate Mahlen. “We would get close, but they always found a way to take the momentum back and break our spirits.” Mertens got a layup to fall right before the buzzer sounded, and Winona State would take a 53-43 lead into the final quarter of play.

FOURTH-QUARTER –

The teams each traded a three-pointer on their first possession of the fourth quarter, and after another Warriors three, the score was 59-46 Winona State with 7:14 remaining in the game. UMC would get a Carpenter layup with 6:54 remaining, and neither team would score until Burke rained in a three with 3:03 remaining, bringing the score to 59-51 Winona State. Eight points was as close as the score would get, as Winona State would score twelve points in the final three minutes to win the game 71-59. “Hopefully we can get everyone completely healthy by our next two games,” said UMC Coach Nate Mahlen. “Right now especially it’s important not to take anything for granted, and so when we get back to practice on Monday, will make sure we’re ready to get to work.” UMC was led by Mary Burke with 15 points and Emma Carpenter with 13 points.

UMC falls to 1-14 and 0-9 in NSIC play with the loss and will be back in action next weekend with road contests against Concordia University St. Paul, and Minnesota State Mankato. Winona State improves to 7-7 and 4-6 in NSIC play.