ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern women's basketball team began their 2020-21 season hosting the Maranatha Baptist Sabercats in Saturday afternoon action. This was the first time in program history these two teams met. The Eagles were on fire outscoring the Sabercats 76-32, with four players scoring in double-digits.

UNW moves to 1-0 on the season, while Maranatha falls to 0-1. Northwestern will compete in at least six more non-conference games before beginning Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play January 20.

Maranatha was the first to score a basket in the game, but the Eagles were quick to counter and take the lead with a three pointer by Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy). The first quarter ended with UNW up by two, 17-15.

Northwestern started the second quarter with a three pointer by Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) to go up by five. The Eagles extended their lead to 21 before a bucket by the Sabercats broke their run.

The first half ended with UNW on top 40-21. Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) completed first half of play with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) finished with 10 points. Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) added nine for the Eagles.

Second half of play began with a layup by Hailey Paup (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Concordia Academy) along with a three pointer by Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian). Northwestern continued to make baskets and extend their lead far ahead of the Sabercats. Their biggest lead came by 33 points with under three minutes to play in the game.

Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) finished the game with a double-double, 22 points and 18 rebounds, just three rebounds shy of UNW's game high for rebounds in a single game (21). Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) ended the game with 17 points and seven rebounds. Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) had 15 points and four rebounds.

Northwestern ended with 40 points in the paint, 20 points off of turnovers and 24 second chance points to soar past the Sabercats 76-32 by the end of regulation.

The Eagles will play again this coming Saturday at home as they host Viterbo University for a 2 pm tipoff.

For all things UNW women's basketball visit www.unweagles.com or follow them on Twitter or Instagram at @unwwbb.