ST. PAUL, MINN - The University of Northwestern women's basketball team hosted Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) competitor, St. Scholastica Saints, in Saturday evening action. The Eagles played a strong first half before the Saints pulled away second half to win 80-67.
 
Northwestern falls to 3-1 in the UMAC while Scholastica moves to 2-2 in conference.
 
First quarter play was led by Miranda Crenshaw (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) who scored eight of the Eagles 17 points. The score went back and forth as each team took the lead multiple times. UNW's largest lead of four came with three and a half minutes left in first quarter play.
 
Following a high-scoring first quarter, Scholastica led the Eagles by two,19-17.
 
Northwestern would hold the Saints for the first two and a half minutes of second quarter action before a Scholastica three pointer would give the Saints a 22-18 edge. Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) and Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn./Kingsland) would both score baskets to balance the score at 22.
 
Although scoring was minimal in the second quarter, six different Eagles would contribute. Northwestern out rebounded the Saints 25 to 14, while scoring 20 of their points in the paint.
 
The half ended with the Saints on top of Northwestern 28-27.
 
The Saints took over offensively in third quarter play -- scoring on almost every possession. Scholastica would go up by 14 points with one minute left in the third.
 
Northwestern would cut into the Saints lead starting the fourth quarter going on a ten point run before another Scholastica three pointer. Each team would continue to score and with four minutes left in the game, the Saints were up by ten. UNW would continue to battle, but were unable to stop Scholastica's offense. 
 
The game would end Northwestern 67 and Scholastica 80. Saturday night's loss was Northwestern's first loss in conference play this season.
 
Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) finished with 20 points on the night, Miranda Crenshaw (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) added 12 while many Eagles also contributed. Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn./Kingsland) and Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow) both scored nine.
 
The Lady Eagles will be back in action Tuesday night as they take on Lawrence University at 5:30 PM.
 
Follow Northwestern basketball at www.unweagles.com and on Instagram and Twitter at @unwwbb.