ST. PAUL, Minn. – In a tight UMAC women's basketball race, Wednesday's matchup between the University of Northwestern and the University of Wisconsin-Superior loomed large. Northwestern appeared to be in the driver's seat after a strong third quarter, but an offensive avalanche from UW-Superior in the fourth period gave the visitors from up north a 69-63 win inside the Ericksen Center. The Yellowjackets improved to 8-8 overall and 4-1 in the UMAC, while the Eagles dropped to 9-7 and 3-2, respectively.
Each team scored on its opening possession of the game, with Superior making a three-pointer and UNW getting a layup from
Ella Falk (Jamestown, N.D./Jamestown). The Jackets built their lead up to 7-2 before
Jasmine Sondrol (Grand Forks, N.D./Red River) scored inside, but added two more buckets to take an 11-4 lead with 4:10 remaining in the opening period. Jump shots by Sondrol and
Lexi Hagen (Jordan, Minn./Jordan) made it 11-8 with under a minute left, but UWS was able to score once more before time expired, giving the visitors a 13-8 edge after a slow first quarter.
Another Sondrol bucket pulled Northwestern within three, but back-to-back Yellowjackets baskets made it 17-10. The Eagles were able to rattle off a 6-0 run thanks to a
Grace Landvik (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) jumper and two free throws apiece from Sondrol and Hagen, trimming the deficit to one point. A UW-Superior layup ended the spurt, but Landvik quickly responded with a layup of her own on the other end. A 7-0 Superior surge to put them up by eight was ended by a Hagen layup, and two Landvik free throws in the closing seconds made the score 27-22 in favor of the Jackets at halftime.
UNW came out firing in the third quarter, quickly pulling within one thanks to a pair of Landvik layups. UWS was able to answer with a layup of its own on the other end, but Falk buried a three on the ensuing possession to tie the game at 29. Another Landvik layup less than a minute later gave the Eagles their first lead of the game at 31-30. Superior scored the next six points to take control back for a moment, but a
Lexi Garcia (Colorado Springs, Colo./Vanguard) trey and two free throws from Landvik made things all square at 36-all. Landvik continued her immaculate quarter by drilling a three-pointer to give Northwestern a 39-38 edge, which also ignited an 8-0 run for her team to close the quarter. The spurt included two more free throws for the senior, as well as an and-one from Falk, giving UNW a 44-38 edge entering the final stanza.
To their credit, the Yellowjackets could not have been more undaunted by their opponents' 8-0 run to close the third period. The visitors traded buckets with Sondrol to open the fourth, and despite a layup by
Taylor Christenson (Maple Grove, Minn./Heritage Christian Academy), regained the lead with 6:25 remaining as reigning UMAC Player of the Year Elise Besonen (who finished with 32 points) began to do her thing. Northwestern was still within one point with 3:09 remaining thanks to two Falk free throws and layups from Landvik and
Reese Sellers (Yuma, Ariz./Yuma Catholic), but a quick 5-0 run for UW-Superior made it 62-56 in its favor. A Sondrol jumper got Northwestern within four, but that is the closest the remainder of the game would be. Free throws and good defense by the Jackets helped them close out a 69-63 win over the Eagles after a 31-point explosion in the fourth quarter.
The 31-19 scoring differential in the fourth quarter hurt the Eagles, as did the 44-23 rebounding disadvantage, despite turning the ball over only five times. Landvik led Northwestern in scoring with a career-high 21 points, adding five rebounds. Sondrol contributed 16 points and three blocks, while Falk finished with 10 points and two assists. Hagen logged seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists, and Christenson dished out a pair of assists as well.
UNW will head to Crown College on Saturday, January 25
th for another conference tilt. Tip-off in St. Bonifacius is scheduled for 4:45 PM, after the conclusion of the men's game. You can catch all the action on the UMAC Sports Network.
