MOORHEAD, Minn. – Both the Dragon women and men's basketball teams are on the road again this weekend in a one game road trip at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The bout with the Golden Eagles tips off with the women at 2 p.m. and then men to follow at 4 p.m.
DRAGON WOMEN
The Dragon women (8-9, 5-8 NSIC) are on a two game win streak and looking to turn their season around after defeating both Concordia-St. Paul and St. Cloud State University this past weekend on the road.
The Dragon women won both their NSIC battles by over 10 points, winning by 11 over the Huskies of SCSU.
The Dragons came ready to play, taking a seven-point lead over the Huskies only four minutes into the first period, building their lead to 10 at one point. But a small run by the Huskies pulled them within three to end the first period.
A minute into the second half the Huskies took a two-point lead; their only lead of the game, but it didn't last long. A minute later, the Dragons regained the lead off a jumper in the paint by Freshman
Taylor Shepard.
MSU Moorhead rebuilt their lead, and closed out the game with two made free throws by sophomore
Megan Strese.
Angie Jetvig led the team with a career high and NSIC season high with a double double of 31 points and 11 rebounds. She added five assists, two blocked shots and one steal as well. Forward
Megan Strese was another key contributor wtih 11 total points and five rebounds.
Jetvig leads the team in scoring and rebounds with a double-double of 17.6 points per game and 10.1 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Haley Thomfode leads the team in assists and steals with 3 and 1.5, respectively.
UMC WOMEN
The Golden Eagles of UMC (8-9, 5-8 NSIC) boasts the same record as the Dragons and are on a two game losing streak after falling to both St. Cloud State University and Concordia-St. Paul this last weekend. They are No. 9 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, one spot ahead of MSU Moorhead.
Their most recent loss to Concordia-St. Paul was hard fought game for both teams, but the Golden Bears edged out the Golden Eagles by one-point, winning the game 67-66.
After the first half of play, the Golden Eagles had a strong nine-point lead but Concordia was not ready to give the game away. After hitting two free throws, the Golden Bears started a run that would ultimately give them the victory. Although, it was not an easy win.
With only a minute left to play, UMC was ahead by two points. After a turnover Golden Bear guard Carissa Wolyniec made a layup and drew a foul with only four seconds remaining in the game. Making her free throw, the Golden Bears took a one-point lead and closed out the game.
Forward Megan Eul led the Golden Eagles in the close game with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Brittani Wiese and Carly Rothstein were close behind with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Both girls also pulled down six rebounds.
Wiese, a junior guard, leads the team in scoring, assists and steals. She averages 15.5 points per game, 3.8 assists per game and 1.6 steals per game. Junior center Laurie Tyson leads the team in rebounds with 7.2 per game.
This is the second match up of the season between the Golden Bears and the Dragons. On Dec. 10, 2011 Crookston defeated MSU Moorhead, 59-67.
DRAGON MEN
The Dragon men (13-4, 9-4 NSIC) have dropped their last three games and are now No. 3 in the NSIC. Their most recent loss came from SCSU the No. 2 team in the NSIC and No. 13 in the nation.
Facing one of the top teams in the conference and nation was going to be tough for the Dragons, but they were able to keep the game close throughout the entire first half, trailing by only one point at the end of the first period.
At the start of the second half the Dragons took the lead by three, but held if for only a couple minutes. The Huskies started a run sparked by a 3-pointer by Brett Putz and never looked back. Cold shooting and fouls weighed down the Dragons, and they were unable to make a comeback, losing the game, 77-56.
Senior guard
Charlie Chapman led the Dragons with 15 points, shooting 4-of-6 from the 3-point line.
Jake Lindfors was not far behind with 14 points and five rebounds.
Lindfors leads the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game. Junior forward
Alex Novak grabs the most rebounds with 8.3 per game and senior guard
DJ Hamilton leads the team with 3.5 assists per game and 1.5 steals per game. ?
UMC MEN
The Golen Eagle men (5-12, 1-12 NSIC) are on a four game losing streak and sit No. 14 in the NSIC. Their most recent loss came from Concordia-St. Paul in St. Paul on Saturday, Jan. 21. The Golden Bears defeated the Golden Eagles, 82-65.
Concordia took command of the game right away hitting 6-of-6 from the free-throw line and 4-of-9 from behind the three-point arc. This strong shooting gave them a 16-point lead at the half.
In the second half, the Golden Bears continued their strong play; building the lead up to 30 points only halfway through the period, but the Golden Eagles were not ready to give up just yet.
Battling back and hitting three-pointers and free throws, UMC was able to cut the lead by 13 points, but it was not enough. The deficit from the first half was to large to over come and the Golden Bears found victory by 17 points, 82-65.
Alan Sharp commanded the Golden Eagles with 13 points and six rebounds. Akeem Cubie was also in double digits with 10 total points.
Cubie, a senior guard, leads the team in scoring for the season with an average of 16.7 points per game. Sophomore forward Keith Newberry pulls down the most rebounds per game with 4.8 and junior guard Almir Krdzalic is a top guard with 3.6 assists per game and 2.2 steals per game.
This will also be the second match up of the season between the Dragon men and Golden Eagles. On Dec. 10, 2011 the Dragons defeated the Golden Eagles in a close game, 64-61.
Minnesota, Crookston Men's Basketball Preview
Minnesota, Crookston Women's Basketball Preview
