Yellowjackets pull away from Alverno early, win eighth straight

Brynn Liljander had a game-high 12 points for UW-Superior.

Box Score Superior 78, Alverno 45

Coming off a performance in which they set a new school record for consecutive victories, the UW-Superior women's basketball team had no plans of slowing down against Alverno Tuesday evening.

The Yellowjackets took command from the start against the Inferno and never looked back, taking advantage of a smothering defensive effort to cruise to a 78-45 win at Reiman Gymnasium.

In picking up their eighth straight victory, UW-Superior limited Alverno to just 28.3 percent shooting and forced 24 turnovers.

UW-Superior (8-3) jumped out in the early going, getting an early three-point play from Brynn Liljander (Isanti, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti), an inside score from Bailee Bartunek (Audobon, Minn./Lake Park-Audobon), and back-to-back jumpers from Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) on the way to taking an 11-2 lead in the opening 3:43 of the contest.

Vanessa Lebens (Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area) followed up with a score and Allie Nelson (Augusta, Wis./Augusta) converted three straight free throws over the next 3:58 to propel the Yellowjackets to a 20-5 edge with 10:05 remaining in the first half.

UW-Superior continued to build their lead for the rest of the frame, getting five straight points from Allyssa Lindberg (Marquette, Mich./Marquette) in the final 42 seconds to take a commanding 39-15 lead into the intermission.

The Yellowjackets started the second half in similar fashion, getting a jumper from Grace Kennedy (Wausau, Wis./Newman Catholic) and two free throws from Hadley Skalmoski (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) in the first 2:03 for a 43-18 bulge.

From there, UW-Superior upped the margin to 52-21 on two free throws from Liljander with 13:21 remaining and never led by less than 20 points over the final 10 minutes in picking up the victory.

Liljander paced the Yellowjackets offensively with a game-high 12 points while Linzmeier finished with 10.

Alverno (3-8) was led by Julie Gallegos with 11 points.

The Yellowjackets continue their road swing Saturday with a WIAC conference clash with UW-Oshkosh. Opening tip from the Kolf Sports Center is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Grace Kennedy: F; 5' 10"; Junior

#44 Vanessa Lebens: F; 6' 0"; Senior

#1 Brynn Liljander: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#23 Allyssa Lindberg: F; 5' 11"; Junior

#33 Sally Linzmeier: G; 5' 7"; Senior

#14 Allie Nelson: G; 5' 4"; Junior

#21 Hadley Skalmoski: F; 5' 10"; Junior

#12 Bailee Bartunek: F; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#2 Grace Kennedy
: 5' 10"; Junior
: F

#44 Vanessa Lebens
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

#1 Brynn Liljander
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#23 Allyssa Lindberg
: 5' 11"; Junior
: F

#33 Sally Linzmeier
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

#14 Allie Nelson
: 5' 4"; Junior
: G

#21 Hadley Skalmoski
: 5' 10"; Junior
: F

#12 Bailee Bartunek
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: F