And the Yellowjackets did just that, getting a huge game from Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) and notable contributions from several players on the way to posting an impressive 80-57 win over the Eagles at Mertz Mortorelli Gymansium.

The victory improved UW-Superior to 5-2 on the season and 2-1 in WIAC conference play while UW-LaCrosse dropped to 3-5 overall and 0-3 in league action.

Behind a stifling first half defensive effort, the Yellowjackets took a 21-14 lead in the opening 13 minutes and continued to maintain the advantage, taking a 31-25 lead into the intermission behind 20 points from Linzmeier in the first half.

The Yellowjackets continued to pull away in the second half, taking leads of 45-28 and 70-49 thanks to eight second half points from Allyssa Lindberg (Marquette, Mich./Marquette) and a long three-pointer from Kailee McDonald (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) from the top of the key.

UW-LaCrosse was never able to get any closer than 15 points the rest of the second half as Linzmeier poured in a game-high 29 points on 10-of-12 shooting.  Lindberg meanwhile finished with 12 points while Connie Urmanski (Edgar, Wis./Edgar) added 11 points for the Yellowjackets.

The Eagles were paced by Briana Radowicz and Maggi Bishop, who each finished with 14 points.  Camille Driscoll added 12 points for UW-LaCrosse, who committed 23 turnovers and shot just 36.7 percent (18-of-49) from the field.

For their part, the Yellowjackets connected on 24-of-54 (46.3 percent) from the field, 7-of-13 (53.8 percent) from the three-point line and were also 23-of-29 from the free throw line.

UW-Superior will return to action Wednesday when they host UW-Eau Claire at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium.  Opening tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.