Box Score

ST. PAUL (Feb. 22, 2008) – Northwestern College left no doubt about their Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) regular season championship and top seeding in the postseason tournament, as the Eagles defeated No. 4 Presentation College 76-50 on Friday night. NWC owned a 34-12 lead at halftime and never looked back, as they shot 52.5 percent from the floor en route to the 26-point win.

 

The Eagles had a heyday in every statistical category, owning a 48-26 advantage in rebounding while dishing out 24 assists on 31 made baskets. 28 of Northwestern's points came in the paint.

 

Northwestern's offense started and ended with Kelly Zuleger (Cresco, IA/Crestwood High School) (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood), as the senior had a stellar shooting night, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and more impressively, 5-for-5 from behind the 3-point line. Zuleger finished with 17 points – two shy of her career record.

Overall, NWC made 10 of their 22 3-point attempts.

 

Three other Eagles landed in double figures in the game including Kaelee Kendrick (Eagan, Minn./Bethany Academy) (Eagan, Minn./Bethany Academy) and Rachael Bohnen (Grand Marais, MN/Cook County High School) (Grand Marais, Minn./Cook County), who each scored 12 points.

 

Sophomore Ashley Filipi (Fertile, Minn./Ada-Bourp) (Fertile, Minn./Ada-Borup) had a career day for Northwestern, tallying 10 points and 10 rebounds en route to recording her first collegiate double-double. Ariel Liesch (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial), who leads the team in scoring this year, switched her focus to defense tonight, collecting 11 rebounds while scoring two points.

 

Chelsea Brandlee was the lone player on Presentation's team to hit double figures, as the sophomore scored 15 points while grabbing eight rebounds.

 

The Saints, who once sat atop the UMAC standings, finish their season with a 12-14 record and an 8-6 performance in league play.

 

Northwestern (14-12, 11-3 UMAC) has hit the jackpot at the right time, winning their last seven contests. The Eagles will have a chance to win their fifth conference tournament championship on Saturday, when they face Northland College in the 4 p.m. tournament finale. Northland handed Minnesota-Morris a 72-49 earlier in Friday's competition.