ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern women's basketball team welcomed Midwest Conference's Grinnell College for a Saturday afternoon tilt at the Ericksen Center. Both teams entered the contest with one win on the year, setting up for a well-fought non-conference battle. The Eagles put together dominant second and third quarters to down the Pioneers, 76-66 in final scoring. Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) and Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) each recorded career-highs for the Eagles.

Northwestern improves to 2-4 on the year, while Grinnell falls to 1-3 overall this season.
 
Despite trailing by as much as 10 late in the opening quarter, the Eagles battled back to pull within six at the end of first quarter action (19-13). UNW was first to score in the second on a three-pointer from Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) to pull within three.
 
Second quarter play remained a back-and-forth contest – with the Pioneers leading at most by five points. Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) and Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) drained back-to-back baseline three-pointers to end the half, sending UNW into the locker room down by just one (36-35).
 
The Eagles shot 50% from the field and 63% (5-8) from the three to outscore Grinnell, 22-17 in the second quarter. Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) led the first half efforts with 13 points; Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) added 11.
 
Northwestern carried the momentum into third quarter action as Miranda Crenshaw (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) gave UNW their first lead on a layup (37-36). The Eagles outscored Grinnell, 19-9 to carry a 54-45 lead into the final 10 minutes.
 
UNW continued to control play in the fourth, taking a game-high 12 point lead on a three-pointer from Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian). The Pioneers pulled back within six on a three with 4:40 on the clock, but the Eagles kept their composure – outscoring the Pioneers 10-4 in the final three minutes to seal the 76-66 final victory.
 
Three Eagles did the majority of the damage offensively – led by Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) with a career-best 23 points. Roberts shot nine of 12 from the field, three for four from three point range. Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) also had a career-high, adding 20 points on the day, while Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) finished with 18. Jordan Sauve (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) pulled down a game-high nine boards. The Eagles shot an impressive 40% from the field and drained 12 three-pointers in the win, led by Lund with five. 

With the win, Head Coach Aaron Kahl recorded his 150th win at the helm of the UNW women's basketball program.
 
Northwestern will return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 26 when they travel to UW-Stout for a 7 p.m. tilt against the Blue Devils. Keep up with the Eagles all season long on www.unweagles.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @unwwbb.