UW-Superior 59, Northwestern 43

SUPERIOR, Wis. (February 7, 2018) – Superior secured the regular-season UMAC Championship yet again Wednesday night, securing the victory over the Northwestern Eagles.

It was a rough-and-tumble first quarter for both teams; Justine Larson (Stanchfield, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) found the first points on a 2-point jumper assisted by Amelia Leger (Andover, Minn./Andover), followed by a free throw from Hailey Kontny (Superior, Wis./Superior) and two points from Leger to make it 5-5 at the 6:34 mark. The teams would trade leads and would tie four times in the first quarter, but it was Superior who held the lead after one, 15-12 on two free throws from Eva Reinertsen (Duluth, Minn./Homeschooled).

The defense picked up for Superior in the second, forcing three shot-clock violations, and forcing six more total turnovers. Hannah Norlin (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) would get her eighth point at the 9:13, followed by a Kontny layup, Larson to make it 19-12 'Jackets. Jade Tucker (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) added two more points to her line midway through the period, assisted by Reinertsen, followed by a Reinertsen layup assisted by Tucker. Superior would close the quarter with one more free throw from Reinertsen, holding a 26-17 lead.

Norlin got the first points of the second half, and then two more on the following possession to widen the gap to 30-17; Larson then took the rock to the hoop, scoring her fourth point of the night. The hot shooting continued for Superior, Emily Carpenter (St. Peter, Minn./St. Peter) would get five points in a flurry, first hitting a corner three, and then a fastbreak layup assisted by Larson. Kontny continued the run: Tucker would secure the offensive rebound, and Kontny used a double-fake to find the open lane for the score. It was a 41-31 lead after three quarters.  

It was Kontny and Norlin to lead the Yellowjackets in the fourth, getting a basket each to open the quarter. Larson found two free throws on the fastbreak after a hard foul, stretching the lead to 14 points, and Norlin would get the layup and-one to get 52 points on the board for the 'Jackets with 2:46 remaining.

It was all Yellowjackets the rest of the way, taking the 59-43 win and securing the regular-season UMAC Championship.

Norlin was the game-leading scorer with 21 points, while also grabbing 21 rebounds; Kontny was also in double-digits, getting 12 points and four steals on the night.

Superior was active on the offensive end, forcing 25 turnovers, 11 of which were steals.

The Yellowjackets will be on the road this Saturday, Feb. 10, when they travel to Bethany Lutheran for a 5 p.m. tip-off.