(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Basketball team hosted the St. Cloud State Huskies tonight in Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles who shot 36 percent last night against Concordia University- St. Paul exploded in the second half tonight to shoot 65 percent from the field and 56 percent in the game to dispose of the Huskies 80-61.

The Golden Eagles led the Huskies 37-31 after the first 20 minutes of play. Minnesota, Crookston led by as many as 13 points but St. Cloud State was able to get some offense going before the end of the half to narrow the gap. Jamie Zelinsky (G, 5-11, JR, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Bri Zabel (F, 6-0, JR, Northfield, Minn.) led the way offensively in the first half for the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Zelinsky was 4-6 from the field for a total of eight points. Zabel was 2-5 from the field and 4-4 from the free-throw line for eight points of her own. Becca Friestleben led the Huskies with eight points through the first session.

The Huskies came out firing in the second half starting with six unanswered points to tie the game 37-37. Golden Eagle Head Coach Mike Roysland called a 30-second timeout to calm his rattled players at the 18:56 mark. After the timeout the Golden Eagles went on a 24-6 run and led by as many as 21 points with 2:53 remaining in the game to put the contest out of reach. Zelinsky led the Golden Eagles offensively for the fifth time this season going 9-12 from the field, 1-2 from long range, and 2-2 from the free-throw line for 21 points and season high .750 shooting percentage. She also did her part down low recording eight rebounds in the game tying her season high. Zabel continued her solid offensive play going 4-9 from the field and 8-8 from the free throw line for 16 total points. Her hard play down low contributed to the Golden Eagles domination in the paint outscoring SCSU 48-24. Diana Taddy (G, 5-6, JR, Two Rivers, Wis.) and Brittani Wiese (G, 5-7, FR, Albertville, Minn.) closed out the top UMC scorers with 14 points apiece. Overall the Golden Eagles shot 30-53 from the field for a season high .566 shooting percentage. The team also excelled on the boards as they out-rebounded SCSU 40-25 for the second highest total of the season.

The Huskies were led by Becca Friestleben who shot 6-12 from the field, 4-9 from long range, and 2-2 from the free-throw line for a total of 18 points. Talisha Barlow scored 14 points for St. Cloud State, going 6-12 from the field and 2-4 from the free-throw line.

The Golden Eagles advance to 4-5 overall and 2-2 in the NSIC while the Huskies fall to 4-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play. Minnesota, Crookston travels to Dickinson State on December 20 for a non-conference game. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at: www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Photo: Jamie Zelinsky 

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).