The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Women’s basketball team is taking on the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, South Dakota this evening.

FIRST QUARTER –
UMC jumped out to a 4-0 lead with baskets from Willow Thiel (Fresh. Perham) and Nicole Hernandez (Sr. Oak Creek, WI). After a Mines basket, UMC responded with five more points with an Emma Miller (Jr. Albertville), another Thiel basket, and two free throws from Riley Jenkins (Soph. Galesburg, IL) for a 9-2 lead to start the game. Mines made another basket before Miller made a basket, and Thiel added two free throws for a 13-4 lead with 5:38 left in the opening quarter. Mines made a three-pointer before Thiel connected on a pair of free throws, and Miller made a layup for a 17-7 lead. Mines finally got the offense going and went on a 7-2 run to get within a 19-14 deficit with one minute remaining. UMC’s Miller made a basket before Mines finished the quarter with a three-pointer, and the Golden Eagles took a 21-17 lead into the second quarter. 

SECOND QUARTER –
UMC dominated the second quarter as Hope Dudycha (Soph. Austin) got things going with a three-pointer, and Jenkins added a free throw. After a Mines basket, it turned into the Jenkins and Thiel show as the two went on an 11-0 run on their own for a 36-19 lead with 18 seconds left in the half.  That is right. UMC held Mines to only two points over nine-plus minutes of the quarter. Mines made a three-pointer with four seconds left in the half, and UMC took a 36-22 lead into halftime. Mines only made two of 15 shots from the field in the second quarter and were 9 of 33 in the first half.

THIRD QUARTER –
Mines started the second half on a 7-2 run before Dudycha and Miller made baskets for a 42-39 lead. After Mines got within a 12-point deficit, UMC’s Jenkins made a three-pointer, and Dudycha scored six points for a 51-32 lead with less than four minutes left in the quarter. Mines chipped away at the deficit and got within a 54-41 score before UMC’s Miller ended the quarter with a three-pointer for a 57-41 lead going into the final quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER –
UMC led 60-45 when Dudycha made a basket, and Jenkins converted a three-point play for a 65-45 lead with 6:27 left in the game. Mines made a basket before Hernandez and Thiel scored two points apiece for a 69-47 lead. The teams played even the rest of the way and the Golden Eagles won 74-55.

UMC improves to 2-4 on the year and will travel to Minot State on Tuesday to start Northern Sun Conference play. Mines drops to 0-5 on the year.

Tags: Brynlea Mahlen, Emma Miller, Hope Dudycha, Kloe Wadd, Natalie Mikrot, Nicole Hernandez, Rayna Klejeski, Riley Jenkins, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Hardrockers, sports, Taryn Frazier, University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles Women’s Basketball, Willow Thiel