Minnesota Duluth 49, UW-Superior 44

SUPERIOR, Wis. (November 4, 2017) – In an exhibition matchup with the Division II UMD Bulldogs, the Yellowjackets gave everything they had at the Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium, but in the end came up short.

Both teams came prepared defensively. Superior held the Bulldogs to only 34 percent shooting from the field, while Yellowjackets could only sink 36 percent of their shots. The first quarter ended UMD up 10-6.

The 'Jackets came out shooting in the second quarter after UMD took a 13-6 lead. An and-one layup from Taylor Kane (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) would start a 9-2 run for Superior to tie the game at 15. After a swing of momentum with 3:30 remaining, Emily Carpenter (St. Peter, Minn./St. Peter) hit a three-point bucket on a dish from Amelia Leger (Andover, Minn./Andover) to take the lead for the 'Jackets. Leger would then add a bucket and Eva Reinertsen (Duluth, Minn./Homeschooled) two free throws to hold the leading heading into halftime 24-20.

Superior would extend their leading the third, getting assisted buckets from Hannah Norlin (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) and Hailey Kontny (Superior, Wis./Superior) to go up 30-22 halfway through the period. A late run from the Bulldogs and two Jade Tucker (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) free throws would hold a four point, 36-34 leading heading to the fourth.

The Bulldogs would knock down two buckets to start the quarter, including a three pointer to take a one-point lead at 37-36. They would continue to shoot from the arc and get a 40-38 lead, but Superior would tie at 40 on a layup from Tucker.

With two minutes remaining the Bulldogs would get two back-to-back layups, but the 'Jackets would fire back with a huge Leger three pointer to get within one. Free throws proved to be the game decider thereafter, as the Bulldogs knocked down four straight to take the win.

Kontny had 14 points in 32 minutes for the Yellowjackets, while Tucker and Reinertsen added six each. Leger assisted the ball well, getting five in the contest.
The Yellowjackets out rebounded the Bulldogs 36-35 and had the advantage on second chance points 7-6.

Superior will officially open their season in two weeks as they take on Augsburg in their home opener Wednesday Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.