ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern women's basketball team hosted their first game in the Ericksen Center since early December as they faced off against the Yellowjackets of UW-Superior. UNW defeated UWS by a score of 62-52 to improve their overall record to 8-5 and their conference record to 3-1.
It was a quick start for the Yellowjackets as they hit a three pointer 30 seconds into the game. Northwestern then responded with an 8-0 run to take a five point lead with six minutes left in the quarter. However UWS responded with their own run, outscoring UNW 13-3, giving them a 16-11 lead with two and half minutes left.
Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./Lac qui Parle Valley) would hit a late three to cut the deficit to two but a buzzer beater bucket by UW-Superior gave them a four point lead at the end of the first, 18-14.
The Eagles came out firing to start the second quarter as they matched their first quarter points, scoring 14 points to the Yellowjackets three points in the first five and a half minutes. Both teams would continue to exchange baskets as the first half came to an end with UNW leading UWS 34-29.
Northwestern shot 50 percent from the field in the first half, including 33 percent from the three-point line. Despite the Yellowjackets shooting 7-for-15 from beyond the arc, the Eagles still played great defensively as they forced 10 turnovers, including six steals.
The third quarter saw the Eagles defense tighten up as they did not allow the Yellowjackets to knock down any threes while also holding their shooting percentage to 25 percent. Offensively, UNW shot their best quarter yet, shooting 54.5 percent from the field. Northwestern would enter the final quarter leading 49-37.
UW-Superior began to rally late in the fourth quarter, bringing their deficit all the way down to six points with 1:13 left on the clock. However, the Eagles free throw game was too strong as they knocked down their last four to take a 10 point victory, 62-52.
Northwestern had a free throw frenzy in the final quarter as they hit 9-11 shots from the charity stripe. Overall, the Eagles shot 41.5 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line. UNW's defense continued to be a huge factor in the game as they forced a total of 22 turnovers, which resulted in 17 points.
Lund finished the game with 17 points while shooting 40 percent from the three-point line. Right behind her was
Hailey Paup (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Concordia Academy) who had 12 points of her own. Leading the team in rebounds with eight was
Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) who finished the game with 10 points.
Allison Eide (Farmington, Minn./Christian Life Academy) also had a great game on the board as she finished with seven points and seven rebounds.
Northwestern has a quick turnaround as they will be facing the Lumberjills of Northland College in the Ericksen Center tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. For all things UNW women's basketball, visit www.unweagles.com or follow them on social media @unwwbb.
