(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Basketball team shocked another top NSIC opponent at Lysaker Gymnasium today. Southwest Minnesota State came to town ranked third in the conference but the Golden Eagles took a 10 point lead at half after leading by as many as 12 and closed out the game with the 76-72 victory. Minnesota, Crookston defeated 11th ranked Minnesota State yesterday to secure the weekend sweep and move into a tie for third place in the Northern Sun.
 
Minnesota, Crookston and Southwest Minnesota State exchanged leads six times in the first half. The Mustangs went up by as many as five at the 16:23 mark but the Golden Eagles rallied back to take a 12 point lead at the 3:38 mark on a Lauren Kessler (C, 6-1, FR, Albertville, Minn.) jumper. The 12 points was the most Minnesota, Crookston led by in the game. Bri Zabel (F, 6-0, JR, Northfield, Minn.) paced all players through the first 20 minutes of play with 15 points. She was 3-8 from the field, 2-5 from long range and a perfect 7-7 from the free-throw line. Diana Taddy (G, 5-6, JR, Two Rivers, Wis.) led all players with six rebounds and four assists in the first half. The Golden Eagles out-rebounded the Mustangs 23-20 and were a perfect 13-13 from the charity stripe. Southwest Minnesota State was led by Abby Kenealy and Heather Smith who scored seven points each.
 
The Mustangs didn't go quietly as they took the lead 51-50 at the 12:00 minute mark of the second half on two Kenealy free-throws. Southwest Minnesota State tied the game two more times but with 23 seconds remaining, Brittani Wiese (G, 5-7, FR, Albertville, Minn.) nailed two clutch free-throws to take a 74-72 lead. The contest was put away with 13 seconds left as Zabel hit two more free-throws to close out the contest 76-72. Zabel led all scorers with 23 points in the game. She was 5-11 from the field and a staggering 11-12 from the free-throw line. Jamie Zelinsky (G, 5-11, JR, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) followed Zabel with 22 points of which 14 came in the second half. She was 7-15 from the field, an outstanding 4-5 from long range and 4-4 from the line. Taddy grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds to lead all players and dished out a game-high tying seven assists. Gina Jaroszewski (F, 5-11, JR, Moorhead, Minn.) was 3-4 from long range and 4-5 overall from the field for a solid 11 points in the victory. The Golden Eagles were an outstanding 23-24 (.958) from the line, a definite tribute to the win they earned tonight. Southwest Minnesota State was led by Heather Smith's 16 points. She was followed by Abby Kenealy who scored 13, Megan Stadler who earned 11 and Laura Kramer who finished with 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
 
The Golden Eagles advance to 6-6 overall this season and 4-2 in the Northern Sun. Southwest Minnesota State falls to 9-3 overall and 3-2 in the NSIC. Minnesota, Crookston is now tied for third in the NSIC. The team hits the road next weekend as they travel to Wayne State and Augustana on Friday, January 8 and Saturday, January 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Photo: The Golden Eagles, as a team, earned two of the programs biggest victories this weekend defeating the defending National Champions #11 ranked Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State.
 
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).