OSWEGO, N.Y. – The UW-Superior women's basketball team limited Oswego State to 24 percent shooting in the first half, forcing the Lakers into 14 turnovers, on its way to a 77-49 victory in the opening round of the Max Ziel Women's Basketball Tournament Friday.
 
In earning its first win of the season, UWS (1-2) held Oswego (0-2) to just 15 points in the opening 20 minutes, including seven in the second quarter. The Yellowjackets shot 17-for-34 in the first half and 29-of-63 (46 percent) for the game. They were 11-for-20 (55 percent) from distance on the contest. Superior created 26 Oswego turnovers in all.
 
UWS advances to the championship game of the tournament Saturday at 2 p.m., CT against Clarkson. The Golden Knights topped Morrisville State, 65-33, in the first game of the day. 
 
The 'Jackets received double-digit scoring efforts from four starters, paced by senior Emily Carpenter (St. Peter, Minn./St. Peter) with 14 points, four assists and two rebounds. Classmate Marissa Ruiz (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley) had 13 points and two boards, while junior Pashia Scott (Fridley, Minn./Columbia Heights) tallied 12 points and two rebounds. Senior Eva Reinertsen (Duluth, Minn./Homeschooled) chipped in with 11 points and a team-high seven boards.
 
Superior scored the game's first 11 points on three 3-pointers – two from Carpenter – and a Scott layup. Freshman Kaija Davies (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) got into the act, knocking one down from range to push the lead to 18-4 with three minutes left in the quarter.
 
Leading, 20-4, Reinertsen and Carpenter hit consecutive treys for a 26-6 edge in the final minute of the period.
 
Scott tallied six of the 'Jackets eight points in a 8-2 spurt for a 36-14 advantage with five-and-a-half minutes remaining in the half.
 
Mady Sanders (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) then sandwiched a Ruiz layup with a pair of trifectas for a 30-point, 44-14 bulge at the four-minute mark. UWS led, 48-15, at the break.
 
Mackenzie Kmecik (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) hit a jumper off of Kaelyn Christian (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville Senior) steal with four minutes left in the third quarter to extend the lead to 37 at 63-26. 
 
The 'Jackets cruised the rest of the night, keeping the lead above 30 points much of the way.
 
Sixteen 'Jackets saw the court, with 11 scoring points in the win.