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Women's Basketball

Eagles defeat Martin Luther 76-60, advance to semis

Box Score

ST. PAUL -- The Northwestern College women's basketball team advanced to the semifinal round of the UMAC Tournament after defeating Martin Luther College 76-60. The Eagles used a strong second half to build as much as an 18-point lead before settling on the 16-point final difference. NWC moves on to face second-seeded Northland College on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

After the game featured five ties in the first six minutes, Northwestern was able to gain some momentum on a 10-2 run, earning an early 24-26 lead with 10:25 to play in the initial half. Martin Luther cut the Eagles' lead to one point on two straight possessions after Kadie Drake hit back-to-back three-pointers. Add a jumper by NWC's Katie DeWitt (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) and a few free throws, and the home team led 38-34 at the break.

Ariel Liesch (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial)'s (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) three-pointer right out of the gate gave Northwestern a seven-point edge, and the Eagles hardly looked back from there. NWC's advantage increased to double digits on a pair of made free throws by Kelsey Kosman (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake) (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake) before Kaelee Kendrick (Eagan, Minn./Bethany Academy)'s jumper with 1:54 sealed the deal, ballooning the Eagles' margin to 17.

Northwestern had one of its best shooting performances of the season at the right time. The Eagles made 48 percent of their shots while holding Martin Luther to 37 percent, including an 11-for-37 performance in the second half. NWC did well from long range, making six their 14 three-point attempts while owning a 36-16 points advantage in the paint at the same time.

DeWitt was one of three Eagles in double figures, leading the team with 22 points and 12 rebounds while falling just two assists short of a triple-double with eight. DeWitt was honored before the game as the junior surpassed the 1,000-point mark of her collegiate career last Friday against Minnesota-Morris. With 1,046 points after Tuesday's game, DeWitt is the first Northwestern player to become a part of the 1,000 Point Club in just two years.

Kendrick made half of her 16 shots for 16 points to go with five blocks. Megan Myhre (Barnum, Minn./Barnum) (Barnum, Minn./Barnum) chipped in 12 points to help Northwestern's attack under the hoop.

For Martin Luther, Katherine Kogler paced the Knights with 13 points, followed by Sarah Free's 11. Erica Babinec, Martin Luther's leading scorer this season, was held to just eight points in the game.

The Eagles didn't have to wait long to hear of their destination on Thursday, as Presentation College upset the College of St. Scholastica, meaning Northwestern will travel to Ashland, Wis. to play No. 2 Northland. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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