Special Donor Issue - University of Minnesota, Crookston

Hardee’s Classic for Coach Roux’sfirst career win. Also following thetournament Plaine and Carly Score(Jr., Boyceville, WI) would garnerAll-Tournament honors for theirdominant play. Plaine and the twinScore sisters would be the trio thatled the Golden Eagles all seasonwith each ranking among the topscorers in the conference. As theconference season opened up, theGolden Eagles would start 1-0 gettinga win over the host Warriors ofWinona State. The following nightin St. Paul against ConcordiaUniversity Kari Score would net the 1,000thpoint of her Golden Eagle career with a threepointer for the Golden Eagles’ first points ofthe game. As the season rolled on, the emergenceof Theresa Crance (So., Timber Lake,SD) and Joan Ebnet (Sr., Pequot Lakes, MN) asconsistent scorers became a key to the successof the team.Men’s Basketball - The Golden Eagle Menstarted the season looking to make an impact inthe NSIC during Coach Oseth’s third full season.Lee Roberts (Sr., Cushing, MN) and PatPosl (Sr., Bird Island) were back for their seniorcampaigns and ready to lead the Golden Eagles.The top four scorers were gone from a year ago,but the core of the team remained, and theblend of new recruits had the team excited forwhat lie ahead. Roberts and the men createdsome excitement that had not been seen inLysaker Gymnasium for some time. OnNovember 29 Minot State University came toCrookston with the Golden Eagles looking fortheir first win. After a close first half the visitingBeavers held the one point advantage at 37-36.A back and forth second half saw the guestsahead in the final minutes of the game. GarryThompson (So., Elk River, MN) would hit a pairof free throws late to bring UMC to within two.Following a pair of missed shots by each teamand an offensive rebound by the Golden Eagles,Roberts was left open in the corner. With thecrowd on their feet, Roberts would nail a threepointer to put UMC up by one with three secondsleft. He would also be fouled on the shotand hit the free throw to complete the fourpoint play and put the Golden Eagles up twoPatrick Knutson scored his 100th career point.and leave Minot State with nothing but a desperationshot as time expired. The Beaverswould have no such luck and the Golden Eagleswould get the first win of the young season.Following such a dramatic game, UMC mayhave been prime for a let down as rivalMinnesota, Morris came to town just two nightslater. The Golden Eagles followed their first winwith an impressive victory over the Cougars, thistime with less dramatics. Following the wincame a stretch of games against tough NCCteams such as Minnesota State, Mankato, St.Cloud State, Augustana College, and theUniversity of South Dakota to close out the nonconferenceseason. With the opening of theconference season, came the first conferencewin as the Golden Eagles beat Red River Valleyrival Minnesota State University, Moorhead 72-58. The game would see Thompson net a double-doubleas he finished with 23 points and 10rebounds to lead UMC to the win.“We have a very young team with only two seniors.This group has worked extremely hardand the future of Golden Eagle basketball looksbright,” states Head Men’s Basketball Coach JeffOseth. “We may have come up a little short onthe scoreboard at times, but the respect ouropponents have for these young men and theprogram is very rewarding. This has been ablue collar type of team and it has been veryfun to coach.”The trio of Roberts, Posl, and Thompsoncould always be looked to when the GoldenEagles needed them. Mario Bonner (Jr.,Milledgeville, GA), Jordan Grafsgaard (So.,Ulen, MN) and Antwon Miller (So., MorenoValley, CA) would be pleasant surprises as they22