NORTHFIELD, Minn. – After two home games to begin the 2025-25 season, the University of Northwestern Women's Basketball team had its first road test of the new year on Saturday at Carleton College. Three of the four quarters were separated by just three points combined, but a big second quarter for Carleton was the difference in a 61-51 win over the Eagles.
Katelyn Lindberg (Clearwater, Minn./Monticello) scored UNW's first points of the night, but the Knights were able to open up a 10-2 lead. But Northwestern showed some fight, using a
Brenna Vogel (New Prague, Minn./South Metro) three-pointer to close out the first quarter on a 6-0 run and pull within one at 12-11.
Lindberg scored again on the Eagles' opening possession to give them their first lead of the game, but Carleton soon regained it.
Karley Loven (Swanville, Minn./Swanville) went on a 5-0 run by herself to tie the game at 18, but the Knights rattled off eight-straight before Lindberg ended the run with a jump shot with 1:53 to go before halftime.
Ella Frazier (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) scored on UNW's next possession, but the visitors would find themselves in a 30-22 hole at the break after being outscored 18-11 in the period.
Marin Blom (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) drew first blood in the third quarter with a layup just over a minute in, and followed it up with another one just over a minute later to stay within seven. A Frazier three and layups by Loven and
Carli Elrod (Lindstrom, Minn./Spectrum) got Northwestern within three points at 36-33, but Carleton was able to finish the quarter on a 10-3 run to lead 46-36, with the Eagles' only bucket being another Frazier triple.
A 6-0 run in the fourth quarter, including four-straight from Elrod, cut the Knights' lead to six, but the hosts were able to regroup and push the margin back to double digits. Frazier,
Emma Korinek (New Brighton, Minn./Concordia Academy) and
Olivia Heikes (Braham, Minn./Braham Area) each made threes to keep it interesting at 57-51 with just under a minute left, but Carleton went 4-4 from the free-throw line to close out the 61-51 win.
Frazier made three treys en route to her 12 points, six rebounds and three steals, while Elrod nearly achieved her first-career double-double with nine points and 10 boards. Loven and Korinek each chipped in seven points, with the latter adding four assists and three steals. Blom pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds in addition to three assists and two steals, while Vogel contributed three steals. Northwestern won the turnover battle, 17-22, but Carleton's 20 free throw makes were the difference, as UNW had just eight.
The Eagles will take to the road once again on Tuesday, traveling to Augsburg for a 7:00 PM tip.
