CROOKSTON, Minn. – Winona State University flipped an 11-point fourth quarter deficit into a 12-point come-from-behind win Friday night as the Warriors stunned Minnesota Crookston with a late-game surge to defeat the Golden Eagles on their home court, 76-64. 

Winona State outscored Crookston in the fourth quarter, 34-11, after being outscored in the third quarter 21-10, to pull off the road win. Sophomore Emily Kieck scored 17 of her career-high 23 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Warriors' improbable comeback.

Knotted in a 32-all deadlock at halftime, the Golden Eagles took control of the ballgame by holding WSU to just four field goals in the third quarter. Kieck, who played just nine minutes in the first half, recorded the Warriors' first basket of the second half to put WSU ahead early in the period, 35-32. From there, Crookston outscored Winona 21-7 and looked poised for an easy home win with a 53-42 advantage heading to the final frame.

The Golden Eagles extended their lead to 13 points early in the fourth period before Kieck and the Warriors flipped the script. Crookston knocked down the first two field goals on the final frame prior to being denied a field goal over the final eight minutes of play by Winona State.

Kieck's three-pointer at the 8:30 mark of the period lit the fuse for the WSU offense and the Warriors never looked back, despite trailing by 10 at the time of the bucket. Another basket from downtown by Kieck cut the Crookston lead to 59-57 with 5:15 left to play. The fleet-footed guard would then put the Warriors in front for good with a slashing layup after pulling down a defensive board on the other end of the court with less than three minutes left on the clock.

Senior Rachel Novotny chipped in nine of her 13 points in the fourth quarter to help ensure the Warrior comeback. Sophomore Taylor Hustad tallied four of her five points in the final frame as did freshman Sydney Lodermeier with four points to support Kieck's scoring frenzy in the fourth period.

Kayla Schaefer added 11 points, five rebounds and a pair of assists in the win.

The Warriors went 18-20 from the charity stripe, backed by Kieck's 9-9 effort from the free throw line.

Winona State shot a season-high 46 percent (6-13) from beyond the arc in victory. The Warriors also dominated the paint by outscoring Crookston under the basket, 34-18.

The Warriors snap their brief two-game skid to return over the .500 mark at 8-7 (6-5 NSIC) while Minnesota Crookston falls to 9-8 (4-7 NSIC).

Winona State concludes its road trip Saturday afternoon with a 3:30 p.m. tip at Bemidji State University.