Box Score

WAVERLY, Iowa – The Northwestern College women's basketball team couldn't sustain a halftime lead over undefeated Wartburg College on Wednesday night as the Knights advanced to the AmericInn Holiday Tournament's championship game with a 67-53 victory over the Eagles. 

NWC had one of its best halves to date in the 2010-11 season, making 52 percent of their baskets while going 5-10 from behind the three point line in the first period. The Eagles maintained a lead close to halfway through the second half, but Wartburg went on a scoring spree that included 26 of the game's final 35 points to finish with a 14-point victory.

The Knights scored 24 of its 67 points in the paint while converting 24 NWC turnovers into 24 points. 

Katie DeWitt (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) had 19 points in the first half and 24 for the game to lead Northwestern.  The senior was 8-14 from the field in the first 20 minutes before finishing 9-19 overall with six rebounds.  Mollie Sir (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) followed with an 11-point performance, making four of her five shots.  Allison Johnson (Plymouth, Minn./Heritage Christian) (Greenwood, Minn./Heritage Christian Academy) chipped in seven rebounds on the night.

Following the loss, Northwestern slipped to 3-7 on the season while Wartburg continued its program-best undefeated record at 11-0.  The Eagles will turn around and play again on Thursday afternoon against Principia College, who lost to Wisconsin-Stout in the other bracket of the tournament.  Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.