ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of Northwestern women's basketball team dropped its season opener against St. Catherine University [1-0 overall], 69-51, Wednesday evening at Butler Center in St. Paul.
SCU got off to a quick start, as they took the first frame 22-14 from UNW. The Eagles found their grove in the second period as they outscored the Wildcats, 17-14, but it was the home team who held the lead at the intermission break, 36-31.
On the first half, Northwestern went 12-for-26 from the floor [46.2 %], shot a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity line, collected 10 assists, and snatched five steals.
UNW struggled offensively in the final two frames, while SCU continued to power through. The non-conference contest was won by the Wildcats, who clinched the evening victory, 69-51, over the visiting Eagles.
Northwestern finished at 37.8 percent [17-for-45] from the floor and 26.7 percent from behind the arc [4-for-15], while St. Cates shot 41.5 percent from the field [27-for-65]. In addition, the Eagles also recorded 18 bench points, hustled nine steals, and grabbed 27 rebounds [8 OFF, 19 DEF] on the night's competition.
Amy Berglund (Springfield, Va./West Springfield) led the team on the offensive front with 12 points, finishing 4-for-10 from the hardwood and 4-for-6 from the free throw line. Concluding the evening battle, the junior guard also added three rebounds [1 OFF, 2 DEF], four assists, one block, and four steals to her stat line.
Sophomore
Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow) and Junior
Logan Retzlaff (St. Peter, Minn./St. Peter) opened up the season with strong performances, as they each tallied nine points apiece. Landers also shot perfectly from the charity strip [4-for-4] and ended with six rebounds [1 OFF, 5 DEF], while Retlaff finished 4-for-6 from the floor and noted two rebounds [1 OFF, 1 DEF].
The purple and gold will return home for their next contest against Hamline University on Friday, November 17. Tip-off of day one of the ACR Tip-Off Tourney is set for 5:30 p.m. inside the Ericksen Center. Fans unable to attend can catch the live action at www.unweagles.com.
