Box Score

ST. PAUL -- The Northwestern College women's basketball team earned a 60-52 victory over Northland College on Wednesday night, advancing to the UMAC Tournament championship game on Saturday. Despite a slow start, the Eagles forced 18 Northland turnovers while finding the hoop at the right times.

Both teams struggled early in the game, which was evidenced by the one field goal that was made in the game's first eight minutes. Northwestern couldn't seem to find the center of the basket, while Northland struggled to hold on to the ball, turning it over eight times in the initial 12 minutes. Once the scoring started though, it didn't stop. Katie DeWitt (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) quickly made her presence known, giving Northwestern a 4-3 lead before turning it into a 23-14 advantage with a three-pointer at the 6:40 mark. A minute later, Allison Johnson (Plymouth, Minn./Heritage Christian) (Plymouth, Minn./Heritage Christian Academy) pushed the Eagles' lead to double digits with a layup before a Tanya Dickey (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) three-pointer gave NWC a 30-16 edge. Northland's Lulu Seelye got to the free throw line twice in the final minute of the half to cut the margin to 30-22 at halftime.

DeWitt, who had 15 minutes in the first half, came out firing in the second, starting with a shot from downtown 30 seconds into the period. Two minutes later, the senior gave Northwestern its biggest lead of the game at 15 points with a jumper. The LumberJills minimized the Eagles' advantage to under 10 points on two occasions down the stretch, but big baskets at the right times helped Northwestern keep its opponent at bay in the 60-52 final.

Northland and Northwestern were almost dead even in shooting as both hovered around 39 percent for the game. The Eagles shot nearly as well from behind the three point line as they did overall, going 10 of 26 from downtown. NWC outscored the LumberJills 21-8 in points off of turnovers while holding their own mistakes to just nine for the game, compared to 17 assists.

DeWitt was one rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with 26 points and nine boards to go with a trio of assists and blocks. Dickey followed with a 16-point performance, going 6-10 overall and 4-7 from long range. Johnson chipped in eight rebounds while Mollie Sir (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) added eight points in the Eagles' win.

Laura Fisher led Northland with 13 points, followed by Sara Hoge's 12. The LumberJills finish the 2010-11 season with a 14-12 overall record.

The Eagles, now 16-10 on the season, shift their attention to Minnesota-Morris, who has handed NWC two losses this season. Morris has yet to see DeWitt this season as the Eagles faced the Cougars both times without the senior. Saturday's championship game has added flair this year, with the winner earning an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in UMAC history. Those fans that cannot make the trip will be able to watch and listen to the game at ummcougars.org.  Tip-off is at 7 p.m. in Morris.