The University of Wisconsin Superior took an early lead and never looked back as the Yellowjackets knocked off Northland College 71-46 on Friday night at Mortorelli Gymnasium.

UW-Superior (5-3, 3-0 UMAC) scored the first nine points of the game and jumped out to an 11-point lead in the first quarter then nearly pitched a shutout in the second quarter, scoring 13 straight points before Northland (3-5, 1-2 UMAC) hit a desperation three at the buzzer to cut the Yellowjackets' deficit to 34-17.

The LumberJills actually trimmed into the lead in the third, out-scoring UWS 17-16 in the frame, but the Yellowjackets answered with a nine-point advantage in the fourth quarter to put Northland away. The road team shot just 26.0 percent (13-of-50) on the day, but did finished 17-of-19 from the free throw line. UW-Superior shot 46.2 percent (30-of-65) to roll to the victory.

Sophomore forward Hannah Norlin (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield H.S.) scored a game-high 18 points and eight rebounds. Junior forward Justine Larson (Stanchfield, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti H.S.) also hit double figures with 10 points as ten different Yellowjackets had at least a basket on the day. Junior Bailee Bartunek (Audobon, Minn./Lake Park-Audobon H.S.) had a team-high 12 rebounds. Emily Wagner scored 16 points to lead the LumberJills.

UP NEXT
UW-Superior will close out the season's first half on Saturday as the team welcomes Finlandia University to Mortorelli Gym. Opening tip is set for 3:00 p.m. preceding the men's contest.