(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams close out the 2007-08 regular season with home games against Upper Iowa University and Winona State University on Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23 in Lysaker Gymnasium. Game times on both nights are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. for the women and 8:00 p.m. for the men.
The Golden Eagle women are 6-19 overall and 2-14 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The team is extremely young with three of the top four scorers in their first year at Minnesota, Crookston. The team looks to build around this core for the 2008-09 season. Jamie Zelinsky (Fr, G, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) continues to lead the Golden Eagles offensively. She is averaging 15.8 points per game through 25 games this season. She is second on the team in steals with 38 and second in assists with 78. Zelinsky is an All-Conference and NSIC Newcomer of the Year candidate. Diana Taddy (Fr, G, Two Rivers, Wis.) is averaging 8.8 points per game. She is first on the team in steals with 50 and assists with 79. Gina Jaroszewski (Fr, F, Moorhead, Minn.) is averaging 8.3 points per game. She leads the team in three-point field goals with 50, rebounds with 6.5 rebounds per game and blocked shots with 25. The trio has combined for 50 percent of the Golden Eagle offense this season.
Upper Iowa University is 6-22 overall and 2-14 in the NSIC. The Peacock’s are led by Andrea Downs who is averaging 11.8 points per game. She also leads the team in assists with 145 and steals with 34. The Winona State women are 19-8 overall and 9-7 in the NSIC. The Warriors are led Jenny Steffen’s 12.9 points per game. She is an 88 percent free-throw shooter and leads the team in steals with 39.
The Golden Eagle men are 5-20 overall and 2-14 in the NSIC. The team looks to close out the 2007-08 campaign with solid play this weekend. Minnesota, Crookston is led by Bryce Cummings (So, G, Mukwonago, Wis.) who is averaging 9.6 points per game through 25 games. He leads the team in assists with 57 and three-points field-goals made with 39. Freshman Akeem Cubie (Fr, G, Minneapolis, Minn.) continues to play well as he learns the game at the NSIC level. He is averaging 9.2 points per game and is shooting a team high 52.9 percent from the field. Cubie also leads the team in field-goals made with 91. Eli McVey (Sr, G, Princeton, Minn.) led the Golden Eagles last weekend in NSIC games against #5 Northern State and the University of Mary. McVey is closing out his senior season with some of the best basketball of his career. McVey averaged 11 points per game over the weekend and scored 13 against the University of Mary. On the weekend, he shot 66 percent from the field, 66 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
Upper Iowa University is 7-18 overall and 6-10 in the NSIC. The Peacocks are led by Matt Lesan who is averaging 12.3 points per game through 25 games. He is second on the team in assists with 42. The Winona State Warriors are 27-1 overall and 16-0 in the NSIC and are ranked #3 in the country in Division II Men’s Basketball. The team is led by 2006-07 NSIC Player of the Year John Smith. He is averaging 18.5 points per game and leads the Warriors in rebounds per game with 8.7 and blocks with 88.
All NSIC games can be viewed live through NSIC TV and Penn Atlantic at http://www.northernsun.tv/.
Saturday, February 23 is senior night for both Golden Eagle Women’s and Men’s Basketball. The seniors will be recognized at half-time of their respective games. Everyone is invited to the event to thank the dedicated seniors for their hard work both on the court and in the classroom.
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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