UW-Superior 77, Minnesota Morris 72
MORRIS, Minn. (January 20, 2018) – The Cougars were within one point with under 15 seconds left, but a nifty pass from Hailey Kontny (Superior, Wis./Superior) on a timeout-designed play gave Jade Tucker (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) the layup with 10 seconds left. Hannah Norlin (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) would knock down two more free throws thereafter to get the Yellowjacket win, and continue the UMAC win streak.
Superior was out to a 4-0 lead after layups from Justine Larson (Stanchfield, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) and Norlin in the first minute. Taylor Kane (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) would then get on the board with two free throws, followed by a basket from Kontny to make it 8-2 'Jackets. The Cougars soon came back firing, Norlin found another bucket to get into double digits, but Morris would produce 12 in the final four minutes of the period, up 14-10.
Superior sparked a run of their own just a few minutes into the half, going up 27-23 backed by free throws from Amelia Leger (Andover, Minn./Andover) and Norlin, and a 3-pointer from Kontny. Brittany Laehn (Gilmanton, Wis./Gilmanton) scored on one-of-two free throws with under two remaining, followed by a free throw and layup from Kane to make it a Yellowjacket lead of 36-27 at the half.
Leger, Kane, and Kontny hit open 2-point jumpers to open the half, as Norlin would knock down free throws to hold the lead. Morris would creep back in around the 2:30 mark to get a one-point lead, but a Tucker jumper would make it 50-49 heading into the final period.
The Yellowjackets were quick to gain their lead back, Tucker would get another basket and Leger added a free throw to make it a four-point game, while Laehn and Kontny scored on the fastbreak with a steal and layup. Leger would knock down a crucial 3-pointer at 5:23, assisted by Tucker, to make it an eight-point spread, followed by Kontny for two, making it 10.
The Cougars would again get within a few buckets as the period winded down. The 'Jackets were up by one with under 15 to-go. Tucker would hit the layup to go up three. After an offensive foul call on the Cougars, the 'Jackets got the ball back and Morris was forced to foul, Norlin would hit the back-to-back free throws for the win.
Four Yellowjackets scored in double-digits, including Kontny with 17, Norlin 16, Tucker 14, and Leger 11. Both Kontny and Norlin would get the double-double as well, each grabbing 10 rebounds. Kane was able to score nine points, grab five rebounds, and assist on three buckets off the bench.
Superior will be at home this week, playing the Northland Lumberjills on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m.
