North Dakota State
Minnesota-Crookston (Exhibition)
11/7/2008 4:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jerri Penley scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds as North Dakota State University pulled away from the University of Minnesota-Crookston in the second half to post an 81-58 exhibition victory in women's college basketball Thursday, Nov. 6, before a crowd of 536 at the Bison Sports Arena.
It was the final tune-up for North Dakota State, which opens the regular season against the University of Northern Iowa at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at the Bison Sports Arena.
The Bison led 33-25 at halftime and outscored the Golden Eagles 12-2 in the first three minutes of the second half to build a 45-27 advantage on a three-pointer from Inger Hodgson with 16:59 remaining.
North Dakota State connected on 51.5 percent from the field in the second half and 45.3 percent overall. Penley made 8 of 13 from the field and all four field goals in the second half. NDSU outrebounded Minnesota-Crookston 39-35.
The Bison scored in a variety of ways as Abby Plucker, Jill Zaruba, Nicole Vigil, Penley and Hodgson all contributed. Plucker finished with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Hodgson netted 15 points and Zaruba added 10 points.
NDSU 5-foot-8 freshman guard Katie Birkel turned in a solid performance with six points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals. The Bison committed only nine turnovers and took advantage of 22 Minnesota-Crookston miscues that led to 28 points.
The Golden Eagles were paced by Jamie Zelinsky's 13 points including a trio of three-pointers in the second half. UMC hit only 38.8 percent from the field.
