ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Women's Basketball team played host to Northland College on Wednesday night as it prepares for the home stretch of its 2024-25 campaign. The Eagles were able to punch their ticket to the upcoming UMAC Tournament after defeating Northland, 98-35, and are now guaranteed a top-two seed and a home semifinal game next Wednesday. The results of Saturday's games across the UMAC will determine final seeding.
Halfway through the first quarter, Northwestern already held a 21-2 advantage. Ten of those points (including a pair of three-pointers) came from
Lexi Hagen (Jordan, Minn./Jordan) and five came from
Grace Landvik (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy), while
Ella Falk (Jamestown, N.D./Jamestown) and
Taylor Christenson (Maple Grove, Minn./Heritage Christian Academy) each scored three.
Ryann Eddy (Northfield, Minn./Northfield) and
Lexi Garcia (Colorado Springs, Colo./Vanguard) each scored off the bench and Falk sunk two free throws to close out the first quarter with a 28-7 score in favor of UNW.
The Eagles got out of the gates quick in the second period as well, as a Falk jump shot, a
Jasmine Sondrol (Grand Forks, N.D./Red River) three and a Christenson layup extended their lead to 35-7. After a Northland three-pointer,
Lexi Hagen (Jordan, Minn./Jordan) and freshman
Makenzie Anderstrom (Hudson, Wis./New Life Academy) each scored inside to make it 39-10. Anderstrom continued to have her way in the paint and was soon joined in the scoring party by fellow reserves Eddy,
Reese Schmidt (Watertown, S.D./Florence) and
Brenna Vogel (New Prague, Minn./Homeschool), to give Northwestern a 53-16 advantage at halftime.
UNW's starters rejoined the lineup to begin the third quarter and it showed. The Eagles began the period on a 13-0 run that included eight Hagen points, three from Landvik and two from Christenson. Garcia scored four-straight before Northwestern closed the half with free throws from Anderstrom and Eddy to take a 73-25 lead into the fourth quarter.
The final period belonged to UNW's freshmen. The first three possessions of the quarter resulted in a Schmidt layup, a Vogel three-pointer and an Anderstrom layup, putting the Eagles in front, 80-31. Northwestern then went on a 15-0 spurt that included eight Anderstrom points, five from Schmidt, and two each from Vogel and
Stella Multerer (Anoka, Minn./St. Francis Christian) (the first of her career). With 11 Eagles in the scorebook, UNW brought home a 98-35 win to improve to 16-8 this season and 10-3 in the UMAC, tied with UW-Superior for first place.
Hagen was a machine in only 13 minutes, racking up 20 points (8-10 FG, 4-5 3FG) and six rebounds. Anderstrom was fantastic off the bench, setting new career-highs in points (16), rebounds (9), blocks (2) and assists (2). Schmidt's 13 points were also a career-best, while Landvik and Eddy each chipped in eight points. Landvik also dished out four assists, while Christenson had five and
Caroline West (Lakeville, Minn./Homeschool) four. Vogel ripped down a career-high nine boards and Falk eight, while Garcia, Christenson and
Allison Terry (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) each tallied three steals. Sondrol finished the night with an astounding five blocks.
Northwestern's regular season finale will take place Saturday, February 22
nd at home against Crown College. If the Eagles win, they will clinch at least a share of the UMAC regular season title, and can also win outright and clinch the No. 1 seed if UW-Superior also loses to Minnesota Morris. A loss to the Polars would keep them at the No. 2 seed, but they would still host a UMAC Tournament Semifinal next week. Tip-off on Saturday in the Ericksen Center is scheduled for 4:45 PM, following the conclusion of the men's game.
