ST. PAUL, MINN. -- The University of Northwestern women's basketball team welcomed Minnesota Morris to the Ericksen Center Wednesday evening for a conference showdown. The Eagles and Cougars each entered the contest with a 4-1 mark in the UMAC, but UNW proved to be the better team tonight. Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) finished with a career-high 31 points to lead Northwestern to a 76-62 final victory.
 
Northwestern improves to 9-6 overall and 5-1 in conference action. Morris falls to 8-6 (4-2) in the UMAC. The Eagles trail UMM in the all-time series, 23-28 but have won two straight against the Cougars.
 
Action got underway with a quick jumper from the Cougars before Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) would tie it up on a fastbreak layup. Miranda Crenshaw (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) scored on the next possession, while the Northwestern defense put a halt to the Cougar offense for almost three minutes. A three-pointer from sharp shooting Lund would put the Eagles up four. It was Lund who connected from long range again to extend the UNW lead to six.
 
With under one minute to go, Jordan Sauve (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) got a steal for a fastbreak basket of her own to put the Eagles up 22-16 to end first quarter action.
 
Lund was back at it in second quarter action, draining back-to-back threes. Northwestern's defense held Morris to just six baskets all second quarter.
 
With time expiring in the half, Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) connected on her second three of the night to put the Eagles up by nine, 37-28.
 
Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) finished the half a perfect four of four from beyond the arc, scoring 16 points while Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) added 10. Northwestern had seven steals to the Cougars three, scoring 10 points (off turnovers).
 
Morris was on fire out of the break, scoring four unanswered points before Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) would put an end to the Cougar run. 
 
With just under three left in the third, Northwestern still held the lead by eight. A big defensive rebound by Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn./Kingsland) resulted in two Northwestern free throws. With one minute to go in the third, Schmidt assisted Grace Langmade (Pine City, Minn./Pine City) for a timely three to put the Eagles up 10. 
 
Northwestern scored multiple tough, contested shots right out of the gate to maintain their lead in the fourth. Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) finished the night with a career-high 31 point performance. Lund was an impressive 10-for-14 from the field, 7-for-7 at the line and 4-for-5 from the three.
 
Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) tacked on 12 points and six rebounds, while Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) finished with 11. Jordan Sauve (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) dished out four assists and added four steals.
 
Northwestern will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 18 when they make the short trip to Minneapolis to take on North Central. Tipoff is slated for 4:45 p.m.

Follow UNW women's basketball online this season at www.unweagles.com or on Instagram and Twitter at @unwwbb.