ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern women's basketball team welcomed North Central to the Ericksen Center for Wednesday night UMAC quarterfinal action. The Eagles shot 50% from the field as four players scored in double-figures to cruise past the Rams in first round tournament play.
 
In an exhilarating start – a packed crowd heightened the stakes as the teams battled to a 7-7 start before Northwestern extended the lead. The Eagles ended the quarter up 20-14 propelled by four of 10 shooting from beyond the arc.
 
UNW continued to build a lead in the second, taking a 12-point advantage (28-16) following a Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) three-ball from the top of the key. The Eagles maintained the lead and built on it late in the quarter on back-to-back scoring opportunities from inside players Miranda Crenshaw (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) and Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow). Lund followed suit with her second three-ball of the quarter to put Northwestern up 19 (43-23) at the half. The Eagles held North Central to just nine points and 20% shooting in the quarter.
 
The third quarter continued to showcase steady offense by Northwestern as the Eagles held a 20-point lead heading into the fourth (60-40) thanks to 58% shooting from the field.
 
The Rams went on an offensive tear in the fourth, scoring 24 points sparked by senior Haleigh Filer who added 16 points in the final 10 minutes alone. The Eagles kept pace, pouring in 20 points to secure an 80-64 final victory.
 
Four Eagles scored in double-figures on the night led by Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow) with 15. Landers also pulled down a team-best seven rebounds – matched by Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy).
 
Amy Berglund (Springfield, Va./West Springfield) recorded 13 points on the night in the standout's final home contest. Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) tacked on 11, while Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) finished with 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
 
The UMAC checked in with Amy Berglund (Springfield, Va./West Springfield) following the tournament win. View the interview HERE.
 
Northwestern scored 26 points in the paint and 22 off of turnovers. Their largest lead (25) came at the 5:45 mark in the fourth.
 
With the win, Northwestern advances to the UMAC semifinal round holding a 14-12 overall record. North Central ends its season at 14-11 after making the school's first ever UMAC women's basketball playoff appearance.
 
The Eagles will take on No. 1 seed Wisconsin-Superior on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. The Yellowjackets are currently ranked no. 6 in the division III West Region polls. This marks the second straight season Northwestern has advanced to the semifinal round.
 
Follow all UMAC women's basketball tournament action by visiting the championship site, HERE.
 
All UMAC postseason events have the following set admissions prices: Adults, $10; college students and seniors, $5; youth (Age 6-18), $5; age 5 and under, FREE. Any UMAC students, faculty and staff are free with a valid and current institutional ID. No other passes will be accepted.
 
Keep up with Northwestern women's basketball online this season at www.unweagles.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @unwwbb.