One team made shots and the other didn't. It's that simple.
The Cougars shot 34.4 percent from the floor and Minnesota-Crookston hit eight 3-pointers to score one of its biggest wins of the year as the Golden Eagles beat USF 76-59 at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minn.
And with the Cougars (10-9, 7-8 NSIC) struggling to rebound on the offensive glass and unable to establish a post scoring presence this season, it resulted in Crookston’s (6-13, 3-12) third NSIC victory this season.
UMC made shots, especially in the second half. The Golden Eagles went 15 for 30 after the break, including 4 for 10 from beyond the arc, as they seized control of the game.
With the Cougars ahead 29-24 with 3:19 to play in the first half, UMC staged a furious rally. It cut USF’s edge to 29-27 on Ashley Martell’s 3-pointer. The Cougars missed their final six attempts of the frame and the Golden
Eagles hit three straight paint buckets to make it 33-29 UMC at the half.
After the break, UMC blitzed USF with a 24-6 run to take their biggest lead of the night at 57-35 with 10:54 left in the contest. The Cougars were unable to get closer than 12 points the rest of the way.
UMC senior guard Brittani Wiese led all players with 18 points and nine rebounds while Katrina Moenkedick added 13 points and eight boards for the home-standing Golden Eagles, which shot at a 42.2 percent clip for the game and nailed 8-of-19 three-point attempts.
The Cougars were led in scoring by sophomore Jaicee Ulmer who scored 11 points off the bench on 5-of-11 shooting from the floor. Mikenna Greathouse added 10 points while Laura Johnson was held to eight points and four rebounds. Bailey Bouman chipped in six points and was 2-for-6 from beyond the arc.
The Cougars struggled on the perimeter, going just 7-for-31 (22.6 percent) from three-point range.
USF was out-rebounded 36-28, including 11-6 on the offensive glass. Its second unit out-played UMC’s bench, as they outscored the Golden Eagle reserves 33-20.
The Cougars will travel to Bemidji State on Saturday.
