The Big Game
Going into today's game, the UM-Crookston Eagles and Wayne State Wildcats were the only 2 NSIC women's teams left with just 1 loss. Wayne, of course, is the defending regular season champion and #9-rated nationally, while UMC has never won a thing. So, I guess, Sunday afternoon could be described as more of the same. Wayne 66 UM-Crookston 37. It was 16-4 at 12:37 and 38-16 at the half. Crookston's closest approach of the 2nd half was 21 points at 45-24 and 51-30. All-American Ashley Arlen led Wayne, as usual, with 19 points and 8 boards. None of the Eagles scored in double figures. Wayne is 5-1, Crookston 3-2.
Still, Crookston under coach Mike Roysland have been a terrific success story, building steadily over several years now from doormat to contender.
The other big game went the other way--the underdog visitor from Minnesota (Moorhead State, picked for 5th place in the coach's pre-season poll) shocked the pre-season favorite Augustana. The Dragons pulled away from a half-time tie (and a final tie at 62-all as late as 7:21) to win 81-76. The Winona and Moorhead men are the last unbeatens in the NSIC. Moorhead is 5-0, Augie is 5-1.
The Wayne men (2-4) beat UMC (0-5), while the Augie (4-2) women hammered Moorhead (1-5) 98-66 in the other 2 NSIC games today. Angela Christianson came off the bench to score 15 for Moorhead. She should be cracking the starting lineup shortly for the disappointing Dragons.
Player of the Day: Charlie Chapman and Jake Lindfors, Moorhead men 18 points each on a combined 13-of-23 shooting.
Coach of the Day: Chad Walthall, Moorhead men, again.
Preview
There are 2 NSIC double-headers. Minnesota-Crookston at Wayne State, matching 2 women's contenders but 2 men's also-rans. And Moorhead State at Augustana, matching 2 men's contenders but also a disappointing (so far) Dragons women's team against yet another Augie contender.
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