SAINT PAUL, Minn.: The UW-Superior women's basketball team broke open a tie game after the first quarter at Northwestern Wednesday, earning an 81-59 UMAC win at the Ericksen Center.
 
Four players scored in double figures as Emily Carpenter (St. Peter, Minn./St. Peter) and Hannah Norlin (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) poured in 19 points apiece. Eva Reinertsen (Duluth, Minn./Homeschooled) added 18 points, while Marissa Ruiz (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley) registered a career-high 16 points, shooting 4-for-5 from 3-point range. Norlin corralled a game-best nine rebounds, while Reinertsen and Taylor Kane (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) each secured eight for the Yellowjackets, who improved to 21-2 overall and 13-1 in the UMAC.
 
Superior used a 25-point second quarter to break away from the pesky Eagles. After Miranda Crenshaw scored on Northwestern's first possession of the quarter for a 17-15 UNW edge, a Reinertsen 3-pointer and Norlin layup gave UWS a 20-17 lead with seven minutes left in the half.
 
Amy Berglund responded with a basket to cut the 'Jackets' lead to one before another Reinertsen trey and Kane jumper pushed it to a 25-19 lead with less than six minutes to play before the break.
 
Norlin gave her team its first double-digit lead of the night with 3:36 left, hitting a jumper, assisted by Carpenter, followed by an old-fashioned three-point play by Reinertsen. Ruiz punctuated things with a triple to give the 'Jackets a 37-21 lead with 2:44 left.
 
Reinertsen collected the rebound of a Norlin miss midway through the third quarter and was fouled. She hit the ensuing free throw to stake UWS to a 51-33 lead. Superior coasted into the final period up, 57-40.
 
Carpenter knocked down consecutive threes for a 65-44 lead with seven minutes remaining in the fourth. The Eagles got no closer than 15 points the rest of way.
 
The 'Jackets outrebounded UNW, 35-30, and turned 15 Eagles' turnovers in 22 points. Northwestern, which fell to 10-12 overall and 7-6 in UMAC play with the loss, was led by Brooklyn DeKam with 16 points. Berglund added 13 points and five rebounds.
 
Superior closes its regular-season home slate Saturday with a 3 p.m., start at Mertz Mortorelli Gym for Senior Day against Bethany Lutheran.