(Bemidji, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Women's Basketball team traveled to Bemidji State University today looking to earn an NSIC weekend split after falling to Minnesota Duluth last night by eight points. The game was decided in the first six minutes as the Golden Eagles jumped out to a 19-0 lead led by Annessa Hicks (G, 5-2, Fr., St. Paul, Minn.) who scored nine points on 4-4 shooting through those six minutes. UMC shot 62% from the field in the first half. The team was 4-6 from long range and 11-15 from the free-throw line through the first 20 minutes. BSU was a dismal 7-32 from the field and 0-7 from beyond the arc in the first half. Minnesota, Crookston extended the lead to as many as 35 before the half ended 51-16. Bemidji State responded in the second half and won the final 20 minutes 39-32 but the 35 point first half lead earned the Golden Eagles the 83-55 NSIC victory.

The Golden Eagles were led by Jamie Zelinsky (G, 5-11, SR, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) who scored a game-high 17 points. She was 6-10 from the field, 2-3 from three-point and 3-3 from the free-throw line. It is the third time this season Zelinsky has led UMC in scoring. Megan Eul (F, 5-10, Jr., Rosemount, Minn.) played back-to-back outstanding games scoring 16 points tonight going 4-6 from the field and a perfect 8-8 from the line. Bri Zabel (F, 6-0, Sr., Northfield, Minn.) added 14 points while Brittani Wiese (G, 5-7, So., Albertville, Minn.) added 10 points and tied a game-high with seven rebounds. Laurie Tyson (C, 6-1, So., Rosemount, Minn.) tied Wiese with seven rebounds and added seven points in the victory. Hicks finished with nine points and a game-high four assists.

Bemidji State was led by Samantha Baldwin's 12 points. She also led the squad with seven rebounds. Melissa Bortner followed Baldwin with 11 points and tied Baldwin with a team-high three assists.

Minnesota, Crookston advances to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Bemidji State falls to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the NSIC. UMC opens the home season on Wednesday, December 8 when the team plays a non-conference contest with Dickinson State. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an 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).

Photo: Annessa Hicks


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