(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Basketball team returned to NSIC play this afternoon as they hosted 11th ranked Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Golden Eagles were battling an 11 day layoff but conquered that obstacle when they took a three-point lead at the 11:10 mark of the first half on a Jamie Zelinsky (G, 5-11, JR, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) three-pointer and did not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game. Minnesota, Crookston extended the lead to 16 points in the first half and 24 in the second half before taking the 88-74 NSIC victory and handing the Mavericks their first conference loss of the season and the biggest win for the Golden Eagles thus far this season. The Mavericks won the NCAA Division II National Championship and defeated Minnesota, Crookston by three points in each of their two meetings last season.

The Golden Eagles used the long ball in the first half as the team hit a season-high seven first half three-pointers. Minnesota, Crookston's bench set the tone as well, accounting for 16 first-half points to the Mavericks eight. Pacing all players through the first 20 minutes of play were Brittani Wiese (G, 5-7, FR, Albertville, Minn.) and Zelinsky. Wiese tallied a half-high 16 points on 6-7 shooting and was 3-3 from the free-throw line. Zelinsky scored 14 points. She was 4-7 from the field, 2-3 from long range and 4-4 from the charity stripe. Kelsey Van Ackeren (G, 5-9, SR, St. Cloud, Minn.) continues to show her senior leadership as she earned eight points and grabbed a half-high five rebounds. No Maverick scored in double-digits in the first half and the team was 3-13 from beyond the arc. Lauren Barber led Minnesota State with eight points in 12 minutes of play.

The Golden Eagles exploded again in the second half as Gina Jaroszewski (F, 5-11, JR, Moorhead, Minn.) helped Minnesota, Crookston go up by a game-high 24 points as she put in a layup at the 7:47 mark of the second half. Minnesota State would cut the lead to 14 but the Golden Eagle defense was too much as they held the Mavericks to 42 percent shooting from the field. Minnesota, Crookston finished the game with six players in double-digits. Wiese tied a game-high with 18 points. She was 7-13 from the field, 3-3 from the free-throw line and dished out a game-high and tied a team season-high six assists. Bri Zabel (F, 6-0, JR, Northfield, Minn.) tallied 13 points in the second half to tie Zelinsky with 17 points in the game. Zabel was 7-13 from the field, grabbed seven rebounds and dished four assists. Zelinsky was 5-9 from the field, 3-4 from long range and 4-4 from the charity stripe. Van Ackeren closed out the game with 14 points on 6-11 shooting. She grabbed a game-high eight rebounds including three big offensive boards. Jaroszewski and Diana Taddy (G, 5-6, JR, Two Rivers, Wis.) closed out the top Golden Eagle scorers with 12 and 10 points respectively.

Minnesota State was led by Jennie Noreen who tallied 18 points. She was 5-12 from the field and 6-7 from the free-throw line. Lauren Barber, Laura Weber and Ali Wilkinson closed out the leading scorers for MSU with 10 points each.

The Golden Eagles advance to 5-6 overall this season and 3-2 in the NSIC. Minnesota State falls to 8-3 overall and 3-1 in the NSIC. Minnesota, Crookston returns to the court tomorrow to take on Southwest Minnesota State University. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium.

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

Photo: Brittani Wiese  

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).