ST. PAUL – The University of Northwestern women's basketball team had its four-game winning streak snapped by the College of St. Scholastica on Saturday in a 64-52 final. The Eagles committed 19 turnovers while making just 24 percent of their overall attempts, dooming UNW on its home court in the Ericksen Center.

Saturday's first half of action featured a tight score that didn't see a large margin between the two teams until the final three minutes. While St. Scholastica held a lead throughout much of the period, the Saints' buffer was rarely more than four. CSS presented a full-court press that Northwestern seemed to be able to handle, but UNW seemed to have difficulty getting into the paint on offense. The Eagles made just six baskets in the first 20 minutes – four less than St. Scholastica – but went multiple minutes between each make with free throws keeping Northwestern in the game. Kelsey Sorenson was on fire from long range to help the Saints as the junior made a trio of three-point baskets to help the visitor on the scoreboard lead 31-25 at the break.

St. Scholastica turned a three-point edge over Northwestern into 14 over the course of three minutes in the second round, taking advantage of more makes from Sorenson and Sammy Doucette. UNW's five-minute shooting didn't help the Eagles' cause, with CSS leading by 17 at 55-38 with 8:18 to play. Northwestern had its most successful shooting of the afternoon in the game's final minutes with Tiffany Stubbs (Ames, Iowa/Des Moines Christian) and Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) both making multiple long range baskets, but it wasn't enough in what resulted in a 12-point victory for the Saints.

Northwestern went 13-54 overall (24.1 percent) in shooting, with St. Scholastica finishing 22-63 (34.9) from the field. At one point midway through the second half, the Eagles' had three of their top five scorers for the season with a combined two baskets in nearly 30 attempts. Madson finished with a team-high 18 points, with nine of those coming at the charity stripe. Jacki Smith (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy) added 10 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double, adding eight blocks along the way.

Sorenson's 21-point effort for St. Scholastica lead all scorers on either team, helping the Saints win their sixth straight contest and stay in the hunt to host a UMAC semifinal game.

Northwestern, now 14-9 overall (10-2 UMAC), needs to defeat conference leader Minnesota Morris next Friday to beat St. Scholastica out of that hosting position. The Eagles have clinched a spot in the four-team UMAC postseason, but that is the only part of the playoff scenario list that is set in stone. Tip-off between the Cougars and Eagles next Friday will be at 5:30 p.m. in the Ericksen Center.