Box Score
SAINT BONIFACIUS, Minn. – The Northwestern College women's basketball team capitalized on a high shooting percentage in its return to the conference win column Saturday afternoon with a 95-36 victory after over host Crown College. The Eagles shot 51.4% throughout the 40 minutes of play, the highest mark the squad has posted since January 13, 2012.
NWC held the home team scoreless for the first 3:51 of play, jumping out to a 13-0 lead after a run that included scoring from
Courtney Cunard (Missouri Valley, Iowa/Missouri Valley),
Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove), and
Jessica Fife (Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo). Even as Crown made its appearance on the scoreboard, the Eagles continued to put the offensive pressure on, owning a 20 point lead with 8:56 to play, courtesy of a pair of three-balls, one by Cunard and the other by Madson, combined with a Fife make from downtown.
The visitors on the scoreboard continued their 17-0 run en route to a 40-11 upper hand with 7:02 remaining in the period. There would be no change in momentum, as
Jacki Smith (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy) scored in the paint to Northwestern a 33-point lead heading into intermission. The Eagles notched a 57.9 field goal percentage in the first half alone, in comparison to the Storm's 25% mark.
The second half started much the same as the first, with the Purple and Gold showcasing an early scoring effort. A 22-2 rally over the first nearly seven minutes left the score at 75-22 after another Smith layup found the bottom of the net. For the remainder of the contest NWC featured a balanced offensive group, as 11 different individuals scored in the game. As a result of the team effort, the Eagles returned home with a 95-36 positive outcome.
Madson led the visitors with 17 points on 6-9 shooting, including a 3-5 performance from beyond the arc. Madson was joined by teammates Smith,
Hannah Holm (Charlotte, N.C./GRACE School), and
Mollie Sir (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) who all reached double-digit point totals. NWC made six of 12 triple attempts in the second half alone, contributing to a 41.2% mark for the game.
On the defensive end of the floor the Eagles forced 24 turnovers and picked up 15 steals while also bringing in 28 rebounds off the Storm's missed shots, 11 more than the home team was able to control.
After the second week of Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play, Northwestern holds an overall record of 8-7 and 4-1 versus league opponents. NWC will make it three conference weekends in a row on Friday, January 25 as the College of St. Scholastica will travel to the Ericksen Center for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.
