Yellowjackets cruise past UW-River Falls

Katie White had eight points for UW-Superior.

Box Score

Superior 78, River Falls 49

If there's one thing the UW-Superior women's basketball has showcased so far this season, it's been the ability to lock down teams on the defensive end.

The Yellowjackets turned the trick again on Wednesday, forcing 16 first half turnovers before outscoring UW-River Falls 45-29 after halftime in cruising to a 78-49 victory at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium.

With the victory, UW-Superior improved to 14-5 overall and 8-2 in WIAC conference action. UW-River Falls meanwhile fell to 8-11 overall and 3-7 in league play with the loss.

After a tight opening 6:14 of action, the Yellowjackets took a 9-7 lead on a Carmen Watson (Milwaukee, Wis./James Madison) layup with 13:07 left in the first half. Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) followed up by knocking down a three-pointer before an additional triple from Brynn Liljander (Isanti, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) and two free throws by Deandra Vavra (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) gave UW-Superior a 17-9 edge at the 8:35 mark of the opening stanza.

The Yellowjackets continued to build momentum for the remainder of the frame, taking their largest lead at 30-16 on a jumper by Liljander before heading to the intermission holding a 33-20 advantage.

UW-Superior took complete control in the second half, scoring 36 of the first 45 points after halftime for a 69-29 bulge on a Vanessa Lebens (Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area) layup with 7:45 remaining in regulation.

The Falcons never got closer than 29 points the rest of the way as UW-Superior won their fourth straight game over UW-River Falls during the past two seasons.

Offensively, the Yellowjackets were paced by Liljander and Lebens with 13 points each. Linzmeier chipped in with 10 while Katie White (Pequot Lakes, Minn./Peguot Lakes) and Hadley Skalmoski (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) each contributed eight points on the evening.

For the game, UW-Superior connected on 48.3 percent of their shots and forced 28 turnovers.

The Yellowjackets host UW-Platteville for a WIAC conference game on Saturday. Opening tip against the Pioneers is scheduled for 3 p.m. The game can be heard on tape-delay starting at 5 p.m. on 91.3 FM. Matt Johnson will have the call.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#11 Deandra Vavra: G; 5' 7"; Senior

#53 Carmen Watson: F; 5' 8"; Junior

#10 Katie White: F; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#11 Deandra Vavra
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

#53 Carmen Watson
: 5' 8"; Junior
: F

#10 Katie White
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: F