Yellowjackets down Stevens Point, host Oshkosh in WIAC Tournament Final

Hadley Skalmoski had 11 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in the game for UW-Superior

Box Score

Superior 58, Stevens Point 36

For the second time in as many seasons, the UW-Superior women's basketball team stands one win away from an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Taking advantage of a stifling defensive effort, the Yellowjackets outscored UW-Stevens Point 35-18 in the second half and cruised to a 58-36 victory over the Pointers in their WIAC

Tournament semifinal matchup before a packed gathering at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium Friday night.

The win sets up a rematch of last season's WIAC Tournament Final between the Yellowjackets and UW-Oshkosh on Sunday at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium.

After a tight first half, UW-Superior held UW-Stevens Point to just 14.8 percent shooting in the second half (4-of-27) and forced 23 Pointers' turnovers to advance to their second consecutive tournament final.

Defense was on full display during the opening 20 minutes as neither side was able to gain much flow offensively. The Pointers still managed to take an early lead however as a layup by Kaitlyn Jacobs gave UW-Stevens Point a 13-8 lead with 9:24 remaining in the first half.

The Yellowjackets (19-7) responded by closing out the frame on a 15-5 run, taking a 20-17 lead on three straight free throws by Carmen Watson (Milwaukee, Wis./James Madison) before a three-point play from Hadley Skalmoski (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) in the final 19 seconds put UW-Superior ahead 23-18 at the break.

UW-Superior continued to surge after halftime, scoring 12 of the first 17 points after halftime for a 35-23 bulge following a long three-pointer by Allyssa Lindberg (Marquette, Mich./Marquette) with 13:42 left in regulation.

A three-pointer by Jamie Destache three possessions later brought the Pointers to within 35-26 with 11:03 remaining on the clock.

But the Yellowjackets surged from there, scoring the next 11 points for their largest lead of the game at 46-26 on two free throws by Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) at the 5:57 mark of the regulation.

The Pointers (14-13) never got closer than 14 points the rest of the night as UW-Superior knocked down 16-of-23 free throws for the game.

Linzmeier led all scorers with 22 points, knocking down 10-of-11 from the free throw line. Skalmoski meanwhile chipped in 11 points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots off the bench.

UW-Stevens Point was led by Destache and Ali Miceli, who each had 11 points in the loss.

Opening tipoff between the Yellowjackets and UW-Oshkosh is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Mertz on Sunday. The game can be heard live on 91.3 FM with Matt Johnson and Yellowjacket men's basketball coach Paul Eberhardt on the call.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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