ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The University of Northwestern women's basketball team hosted Bethany Lutheran College in Wednesday night action. The Eagles, who downed the Vikings 59-52 on the road earlier this season, proved to be the better team once again. UNW handed BLC just their second UMAC loss of the year, putting an end to a 13 game win streak with a 74-61 final victory.
Northwestern improves to 15-8 overall, 11-3 in the UMAC while the Vikings fall to 18-3 this season and 11-2 in the league.
First quarter action featured consistent scoring by both teams. Following a series of four lead changes, Northwestern finished the quarter up 25-20.
The battle resumed in second quarter play as back-and-forth scoring resulted in four more lead changes. Northwestern went down by three with five minutes left in the half, but a
Jordan Sauve (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) three-pointer would help UNW regain momentum. The Eagles would enter the break up 39-31.
Jordan Sauve (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) led Northwestern's first half efforts with 11 points after knocking down three shots from long range.
The Eagles set the tone early in the second half by putting together a 10-0 run, most of which came from
Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) (who scored 12 of UNW's first 18 points in the third).
Northwestern would shoot over 53% from the field in the third and hold BLC to 31% shooting in the fourth to cruise to a 74-61 final win.
The Eagles scored 40 points in the paint to the Vikings' 24. They added 13 points off of turnovers to BLC's five.
Four Northwestern players finished with double-digit point totals led by
Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) with 18. DeKam added seven boards in the win.
Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) finished with 17 points, six boards and four assists.
Jordan Sauve (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) and
Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow) had 13 points apiece and Landers pulled down a team-best nine rebounds and tacked on five blocks.
Northwestern will have a bye on Saturday before returning to action on Wednesday, February 19 when they travel to Superior, Wis. to take on the Yellowjackets. Tipoff is slated for 7:15 p.m.
Follow UNW women's basketball online this season at
www.unweagles.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @unweagles. Photos from tonight's match-up are available online at:
http://d3pho.to/g/8056.
