(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Basketball team walked away with an NSIC weekend sweep today as the Golden Eagles knocked out the Warriors in an overtime slugfest 89-83. Minnesota, Crookston also swept the season series after defeating Winona State 78-66 in another overtime game on November 28 at the NSIC Hoopfest in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
Minnesota, Crookston could do no wrong in the first half. The UMC defense caused 10 Winona turnovers and turned them into 12 points, equal to the team's largest lead of the half. The squad got hot at the 16:37 mark when they went on a 13-0 run to eventually take a 38-28 halftime lead. The Golden Eagles were led by Gina Jaroszewski (F, 5-11, JR, Moorhead, Minn.) who hit four three-pointers to lead all players with 12 points. Jamie Zelinsky (G, 5-11, JR, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) followed Jaroszewski with seven points and a team-high five rebounds. Winona State was led by Natalie Gigler who had eight points.
 
The second half saw more drama than Golden Eagle fans would have liked. Zelinsky blew the roof off Lysaker Gymnasium with red hot shooting. She knocked down 24 second half points to help Minnesota, Crookston to a 17 point lead with 5:32 remaining. Winona State would not be denied down the stretch as Ana Wurtz scored 11 second half points on 3 of 5 three-point shooting. She was matched by Michelle McDonald who tallied 11 second half points of her own. At the 5:32 mark of the second half, the Warriors began their charge. They rattled off a 22-5 run and with four seconds remaining in the game, tied the score on a McDonald layup to force overtime.
 
Winona State took an early four point lead in the extra session. Bri Zabel (F, 6-0, JR, Northfield, Minn.) hit a jumper with 1:17 remaining and the Golden Eagles went on a 6-0 run to earn one of the team's biggest wins of the season. The Golden Eagles were led through 45 minutes of play by Zelinsky who finished with a career-high 33 points, just one point off the school record of 34 held by Jessica Forsline who did it in 2000 and 2001. Zelinsky was 11 of 18 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. Defensively she led her squad with nine rebounds. Zabel followed Zelinsky with 16 points. She was also 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. Jaroszewski finished the game with 14 points and Brittani Wiese (G, 5-7, FR, Albertville, Minn.) closed out the top scorers with 10 points. She led all players with four steals and tied a game-high with seven assists. The Golden Eagles as a team tied a season-high with nine three-pointers made.
 
Winona State was led by Michelle McDonald's 22 points. She was 9 of 12 from the field and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds. Ana Wurtz followed with 18 points. She was 6 of 12 from the field and 5 of 8 from long range.
 
The Golden Eagles advance to 8-9 overall and 6-5 in Northern Sun play while the Warriors fall to 12-7 overall and 7-5 in conference play. Minnesota, Crookston hits the road next weekend when they travel to the University of Mary and Northern State University. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on both nights.

Photo: Jamie Zelinsky
 
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).