WINONA LAKE, Ind.- For the final game of the season, the University of Northwestern women's basketball team competed against the Rams of Columbia International University in the Division I NCCAA Tournament Consolation Bracket. A fantastic second half lifts the Eagles over the Rams in a 60-51 victory to end their fantastic 2021-2022 season on a win.
There was no better way to start the final game of the season as both teams agreed to a heartwarming moment. The Rams would be given the first basket of the game before the Eagles handed the ball to senior
Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) to attempt and score her first shot of the season due to injury. Time was called and DeKam was congratulated by teammates as she exited the court.
Both teams came to play as it was a competitive back and forth first quarter as neither team could build out a sizable lead. The largest lead would be grabbed in the final minute of the quarter as CIU scored a three pointer to put them up by five, 18-13, at the end of the first.
It was a tough second quarter for Northwestern as they could not get anything to fall. However, after taking a timeout with two minutes remaining in the half, the Eagles came alive on both sides of the ball. It started with a
Grace Landvik (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) three pointer, followed by great defensive possessions that led to free throw chances for UNW. They would connect on three-of-four attempts from the line and the once 13 point deficit was now cut to seven, 31-24, in favor of the Rams heading into halftime.
It was a much different Northwestern coming out of the locker room. Immediately out of the gates they went on an 11-0 run to take their first lead of the game since the early first. It was
Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) who got them out back ahead as she drained a three pointer from the center of the arc.
Columbia International found their first bucket of the second half five and a half minutes into the quarter to stem the bleeding. The Eagles continued to score but the Rams also continued to knock down three pointers as they kept the score differential close. At the end of the third, UNW found themselves ahead 46-42 entering the final 10 minutes of regulation.
Lexi Hagen (Jordan, Minn./Jordan) got the final quarter rolling, knocking down a three pointer to build Northwestern's lead. After a free throw from CIU, UNW scored three straight layups to find a lead of a dozen with 05:00 left on the clock. The lead would grow to as much as 15 as the Eagles closed the game out taking the victory over the Rams 60-51.
Despite the cold first half, Northwestern finished shooting 30.4 percent from the field while shooting 12-for-14 from the charity stripe. They won the hard fought rebound game 53-45, including 18 offensive rebounds that resulted in 14 second chance points. Their defense was outstanding as they stole the ball away 14 times.
The trio of
Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./Lac qui Parle Valley),
Hailey Paup (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Concordia Academy), and Roberts all finished with double-doubles in the game. Lund led the team in scoring with 14 points, brought down 11 rebounds, and stole the ball a team high five times. Paup scored 13 points to go with her 10 rebounds while Roberts also had 13 points and a team high 14 rebounds. Landvik had a great game coming off the bench as she finished with eight points and a team high four assists.
That wraps up the season for the University of Northwestern women's basketball team as they finish the season 21-8. It was a season full of accomplishments, from individual milestones to an UMAC Regular Season Co-Championship, as well as becoming back-to-back NCCAA North Central Region Champions. The 2022 graduating class will go down as one of the best classes in program history. The Eagles are saying good bye to seniors
Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./Lac qui Parle Valley),
Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy),
Hailey Paup (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Concordia Academy),
Ashlyn Jones (New London, Minn./New London - Spicer),
Allison Eide (Farmington, Minn./Christian Life Academy), and
Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian). This fantastic group of seniors has left a lasting impact on Northwestern Basketball that will be felt for years to come.
