Box Score

CROOKSTON, Minn. – After a locked first quarter, Minnesota Crookston (4-15, 3-12 NSIC) used a big second-quarter to earn a 64-53 victory over Southwest Minnesota State (10-10, 5-10 NSIC) on Friday night at Lysaker Gym. 
 
The Mustang were held back by a season-high 27 turnovers, which the Golden Eagles converted to 27 points from. The last time the Mustangs recorded over 25 turnovers was Feb. 1, 2019, versus Minnesota Crookston when SMSU had 27.
 
The Mustangs shot 34 percent (16-of-47) from the field and 28 percent (7-of-25) from the 3-point line, while the Golden Eagles recorded 37 percent (23-of-63) from the field, and zero percent (0-of-12) from the 3-point line. 
 
Jenna Borchers led the Mustangs in scoring with 12 while Meleah Reinhart finished with 10. Abuk Akoi grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. 
 
The Golden Eagles were led by Bren Fox who finished with 16 points while Julia Peplinski ended the night with a double-double at 15 points and 13 rebounds. 
 
The first quarter ended in a draw at 15-15 after the Mustangs held the Golden Eagles scoreless until just under six minutes to go in the first quarter. The Mustangs earned so much as a 10-0 lead before the Golden Eagles bounced back to tie the game up. 
 
UMC out-scored SMSU 20-to-15 to head into the second half with a 35-30. The Mustangs battled back in the third quarter, and more specifically, in the final minute as a three-point play from Reinhart would end the third quarter with a two-point deficit at 47-45.
 
The Golden Eagles, who finished the night with 11 steals, kept a strong defense on the Mustangs and restricted them an eight-point quarter to earn the 64-53 victory. 
 
Southwest Minnesota State returns to action tomorrow night at Bemidji State at 3:30 p.m. in the BSU Gymnasium.