ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Coming off an historic season that saw the program reach its second NCAA Division III National Tournament, expectations were high for the University of Northwestern Women's Basketball team entering the 2023-24 season. The Eagles were picked as the overwhelming favorite to repeat as UMAC champions by the league's coaches. In Friday's 52-40 win over St. Olaf, who finished sixth in the MIAC last season, UNW picked up right where it left off in the spring.
Northwestern got off to a blistering start in game one of the Saint Benedict Tip-Off Tournament, opening up an 11-3 lead thanks to five quick points from
Jasmine Sondrol (Grand Forks, N.D./Red River).
Allison Terry (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) was a spark off the bench, pushing the pace offensively for the purple and gold, and
Rylie Hirschey (Pine River, Minn./Pine River Backus) added five points in relief in the opening period. The quarter ended with UNW holding a 19-8 advantage and five different Eagles having contributed to the scoring.
The second quarter opened with a slower pace on both sides. Reigning UMAC Player of the Year
Lexi Hagen (Jordan, Minn./Jordan) made back-to-back buckets to give Northwestern its largest lead of the half at 27-15, but the Oles would finish the half strong, pulling within 29-22 at the half.
A quick 4-0 St. Olaf run to open the second half was answered by a Hagen three and a
Grace Landvik (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) layup. Hagen converted a conventional three-point play to put UNW up 39-28, and from there it was all Northwestern.
River Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow) scored six straight points, and a Terry jumper extended the UNW run to 11-0. Hirschey knocked down a triple at the buzzer to put the Eagles ahead 48-30. They ended the quarter on a 14-2 run.
Terry and Hirschey made consecutive layups to open the fourth, pushing the incredible Northwestern scoring run to 18-2 as they continued to excel on both ends of the floor. The Eagles led 52-30 before both teams subbed in reserves. St. Olaf closed the game with 11 consecutive points to bring the final score to 52-41 in favor of UNW.
Hagen led the way, statistically, for Northwestern with 12 points, seven rebounds and a pair of steals. Sondrol had a solid all-around game herself with nine points, four boards and three steals, while Landvik added nine points of her own. Hirschey added eight, while Terry contributed seven points and three boards.
Andrea Pocernich (Cromwell, Minn./Cromwell-Wright) pulled down four rebounds.
UNW will be right back at it Saturday, squaring off with the host of the tournament, Saint Benedict. Tip-off between the Eagles and Bennis is slated for 3:00 PM.
