(Sioux City, Iowa)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Basketball team remained on the road after the NSIC Holiday Hoopfest to play Briar Cliff on Tuesday, December 1. The Golden Eagles led by as many as five in the first half but the Chargers rallied to take a 37-35 halftime lead. Minnesota, Crookston shot 53 percent in the second half but Briar Cliff shot 57 percent and went 17-19 from the free-throw line to take the victory.

The Golden Eagle offense was captained by Jamie Zelinsky (G, 5-11, JR, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Bri Zabel (F, 6-0, JR, Northfield, Minn.) who scored 18 points each. Zabel earned nine of her points from long range, going 3-4 from beyond the arc. Brittany Wiese (G, 5-7, FR, Albertville, Minn.) added 13 points and also went 3-4 from deep. Kelsey Van Ackeren (G, 5-9, SR, St. Cloud, Minn.) had a career night against the Chargers. She scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the only double-double of the game and the first in her career. Defensively she led the squad with three steals. The Golden Eagles as a team capitalized on Charger miscues as they turned 21 turnovers into 27 points.

Briar Cliff was led by Megan Salcedo who tallied a game-high 21 points. She was 7-8 from the field and a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe. Liz Grider scored 18 points and tied a team-high with seven rebounds. Michelle Determan also grabbed seven rebounds and added 14 points in the win.

The Golden Eagles fall to 2-3 overall on the season while the Chargers advance to 7-1. Minnesota, Crookston opens the NSIC season this weekend as they travel to Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State. The games on Friday and Saturday are both scheduled for a 6 p.m. tip-off.

Photo: Kelsey Van Ackeren

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). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).