Box Score DULUTH, Minn. – A hot first half from the floor saw the University of Northwestern women's basketball team take a double-digit halftime lead, but a flip-flop in the second half led to a final overtime score of 87-86 in favor of host the College of St. Scholastica on Friday evening. In a contest that featured almost exact role reversal between the teams from the first to second period, the Saints' free throw with three seconds left sealed the deal as the matchup ended. The game marked the second consecutive time the two squads have ended their Duluth matchup in an overtime fashion.  

Northwestern jumped out to an early advantage on the road with the first five points on the board coming from Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove). Before either team knew it, UNW was out to a 19-4 upper hand at the 14:04 mark thanks to more production from Madson along with teammates Jessica Fife (Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo), Jacki Smith (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy), and Cunard. While CSS would slow the connection with two charity stripe makes of their own, the Eagles continued to hold ownership of the early evening for the remainder of the half, leading 44-32 at intermission.

The first 20 minutes of action featured a .514 UNW field goal rate, while the Saints made 32.4% of their attempts. The visitors on the scoreboard also came up big on the defensive glass with 15 boards en route to 23 rebounds.

As the ball entered play for the second half, Northwestern saw the game play out in the opposite fashion as the first period. St. Scholastica did not dawdle in breaking down the Purple and Gold advantage and brought the game within a bucket with the clock reading 16:40, 48-46. UNW was able to find success near the hoop after a nearly four-minute drought to once again own the lead at 50-48, but a hot offensive outing for CSS would keep the game tight.

The minutes ticked by and the close game ensued as both teams fought to earn some lead security. Fortunately for the Eagles, the margin usually fell in their favor with Mollie Sir (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood) and Smith's scoring keeping things consistent.

After Fife's free throws with 2:13 left in regulation to give the visiting team a 76-70 advantage St. Scholastica began to take over, putting the final six points of the period on the board to even the score and send the game into overtime.

Unlike the start of both prior halves, the home squad was the first two make its presence felt in the third round. A CSS three-pointer would hand the Saints a five point lead, and with 2:40 left in the contest Sir converted on a and-one situation to provide her teammates with their first basket of extra time.

Cunard soon followed that bucket with a close-ranger of her own, and a Fife layup would swing the momentum and hand Northwestern an 83-81 lead. The game was far from over, however, and even with a Cunard trey St. Scholastica would cap off the contest with four consecutive points. Sammy Doucette's free throw with three seconds left UNW in a tough situation, and the game ended at 87-86 in favor of the home team.

After making over 50% of their offensive attempts in the first half, Northwestern saw CSS take that role in the second while the Saints also out-rebounded their opponent in the period. In all, St. Scholastica's 21 points off UNW turnovers contributed to the outcome, while the visitors actually won out in the shooting percentages.

Sir led the Eagles in scoring with 22 points, while Cunard chipped in a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds, besting her previous career-high rebound total. Madson added 13 points to the output, and Smith tied her own personal best with a 12-point night.

Heading into Friday's competition both squads held a 4-1 league record, but the home team's win allowed them to jump to a Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) record of 5-1.  

Northwestern (12-5 overall) will have a quick night to recover before traveling to Ashland, Wis. for a Saturday matchup with Northland College. The LumberJills came up short, 54-47 to North Central University on Friday and will take on the Eagles at 3 p.m. to end the weekend.