(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) Women’s and Men’s Basketball teams are on the road this weekend as they travel to Northern State University (Aberdeen, S.D.) and the University of Mary (Bismarck, N.D.). This is the final regular season Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) road weekend for both teams. Tip-off on both nights is set for 6:00 p.m. for the women and 8:00 p.m. for the men.
The Golden Eagle women have their fate in their own hands. The team will need to win all four of the final regular season games with Northern State losing theirs to enter the NSIC postseason. The season will be decided on Friday night when the Golden Eagles meet the Wolves in Aberdeen, S.D. Leading UMC into Friday’s game will be Jamie Zelinsky (Fr, G, Brooklyn Park, Minn.). Zelinsky is averaging 16.0 points per game through 23 games and is first on the team in assists (71). Defensively she is second on the team in steals (34) and third on the team in rebounds (87). On Sunday, February 10, Zelinsky led the Golden Eagles with 18 points against Bemidji State University. Jessica Biddle (Jr, C, Elburn, Ill.) had a solid half against the Beavers, scoring eight points on 3-5 shooting while grabbing three rebounds. She finished the game with 12 points. Kim Grant (Fr, F, Minneapolis, Minn.) came off of the bench and provided a spark offensively scoring ten points in just nine minutes of play, all of which came in the second half.
The Northern State women are 9-15 overall and 5-10 (8th) in the NSIC. The Wolves have two players averaging double-digit points per game. Noelle Hall leads the team with 16.3 points per game. She also leads the team in rebounds per game (9.6) and blocks (40). Jaclyn Arns follows Hall with 12.8 points per game. The Wolves defeated the Golden Eagle 77-62 back on January 12 in Lysaker Gymnasium. The University of Mary enters the game at 14-9 overall and 9-6 in the NSIC. The Marauders are led by Nicci Landdeck who is averaging 15.6 points per game. She leads the team in rebounds per game (6.7) and steals (26). Mary defeated the Golden Eagles 106-54 on January 11.
The Golden Eagle men look to carry the momentum they earned in their 68-65 victory over their NSIC rival Bemidji State University on February 10 into this weekend’s contests. With a solid performance in the final four games, the team still has a chance to make the conference tournament. Leading the Golden Eagles is Bryce Cummings (So., G., Mukwonago, Wis.). He is averaging 9.7 points per game and leads the team in assists (52). Akeem Cubie (Fr, G, Minneapolis, Minn.) continues to make a name for himself in the NSIC. Cubie is averaging 9.1 points in just over 15 minutes per game. Against Bemidji State, Cubie scored 17 points, grabbed five steals and pulled-down five rebounds. Matt Pelzer (Jr, G, St. Cloud, Minn.) had a season high as he chipped in twelve points and Joey Kollar (Sr., F., Norwood-Young America, Minn.) had an all around great effort today finishing with ten points, seven rebounds, four assists and went 8-8 from the free-throw line in the contest.
The Northern State men are ranked second in the NSIC and sixth in the country with a record of 22-2 overall and 13-2 in the NSIC. The team has four players averaging double-digits in points. The Wolves are led by Kevin Ratszch who is averaging 17.4 points per game through 24 games. Ratszch dominates most of the team’s stats categories, leading his team in rebounds per game (5.5), blocks (31) and steals (31). He is followed by Levi Hamilton’s 13 points per game, Craig Nelson’s 11.3 points per game and Luck Wicks’ 10.2 points per game. The Wolves defeated the Golden Eagles 70-61 in Crookston, Minn. on January 12. The University of Mary is 6-18 overall and 3-12 in the NSIC. The Marauder’s are also battling for that eighth position in the NSIC and the season for both teams could come down to Saturday’s game. Mary is led by Eric Erdmann who is averaging 14.7 points per game. He also leads the team in rebounds per game (5.0) and blocks (23). The Marauder’s defeated the Golden Eagles 77-71 on January 11 in Lysaker Gymnasium.
The games at Northern State and the University of Mary can be heard live on KROX-1260 AM or on the Golden Eagle Athletics website at http://www.umcrookston.edu/people/services/MediaServ/stream.htm. The games can also be viewed live through NSIC TV and Penn Atlantic at http://www.northernsun.tv/.
Both teams return home on Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23 to host Upper Iowa University and Winona State University. The final regular season games of the 2007-08 season are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (women) and 8:00 p.m. (men). Saturday night’s game against Winona State will be senior recognition night for both the women’s and men’s teams.
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at: www.goldeneaglesports.com
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Golden Eagle Hockey is a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
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