UW-Superior 65, Northwestern 54

SUPERIOR, Wis. (February 21, 2018) – The Yellowjackets stayed undefeated in the UMAC as they won their fifth consecutive UMAC Tournament game Wednesday night, beating the Northwestern Eagles at home.

The 'Jackets got off to a slow start in the first quarter, falling behind 4-0 to the Eagles, but Hannah Norlin (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) soon made it 4-2 on a 2-point jumper assisted by Amelia Leger (Andover, Minn./Andover). It was then Justine Larson (Stanchfield, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti)'s turn on the layup to tie the game at 4-4 around the 6:50 mark. Both teams would continue to play good defense in the first, as the Yellowjackets found points from Hailey Kontny (Superior, Wis./Superior) and Larson to make it 10-8 Eagles, and then Eva Reinertsen (Duluth, Minn./Homeschooled) and Norlin would add four more to end the first quarter in a 12-12 tie.

Superior picked up steam in the second period as Leger hit the 3-pointer on a pass from Larson to make it a 15-12 'Jacket lead a 9:06, followed by a jumper from Kontny and a layup from Jade Tucker (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) to get to 17-16. Reserves Emily Carpenter (St. Peter, Minn./St. Peter) and Reinertsen would add crucial points near the end of the quarter, including a three from Carpenter to make it a 26-22 Superior lead with 1:50 remaining. A jumper from Kontny and a free throw from Norlin would hold the 'Jacket lead, 29-22, heading into the halftime locker room.

The first minute and a half was solid for Superior, as Norlin scored in the paint, and Leger hit another 3-point bomb at 8:45 on a pass from Kontny to make it a 12-point game. The Eagles would make a minor run at 5:47 to get the score to 37-31 'Jackets, but soon made it a 43-33 game on two free throws from Larson after an intentional foul on Northwestern. Carpenter capped off the period once again with a 3-point swish to get a 46-36 lead on the Eagles.

The lead would hold for the Yellowjackets early in the fourth quarter, getting free throws from Kontny and Larson, while Norlin hit another Larson-assisted 2-point jumper to get 52 points on the board. The Eagles would keep attacking in the closing minutes, getting to within six points at 3:39, but Superior put it out of reach with more free throws from Larson, Carpenter, and Norlin to seal the 65-54 semifinal win.

Norlin would lead the 'Jackets in scoring once again, getting 19 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, while Kontny pulled down the double-double with 13 total points and 11 rebounds. Larson put up a great line as she scored 10 points, grabbed nine rebounds, dished five assists, blocked three shots, and stole the ball twice.

Leger and Carpenter were vital from 3-point range, coming for 5-of-8 from deep.

The Eagles' Amy Berglund led the game in scoring with 24 points.

The Yellowjackets will play for the UMAC Championship against the No. 2 seed Bethany Lutheran (beat Minnesota Morris 76-64 to advance) on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. at home in the Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium.