MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Last time out, the Yellowjacket women's basketball team found the going tough, falling behind early to Bethany Lutheran, a deficit it was never able to recover from in a loss at home. Looking to rebound and get back in the win column, the Yellowjackets took to the road Saturday afternoon for a date with North Central. Unfortunately, Saturday's script looked a little too familiar.
 
North Central came out hot, hitting on over 64 percent of its shots in the first quarter on 9-of-14 shooting. In the process the Rams built a 24-6 lead. In the end, the Yellowjackets were never able to erase the deficit, falling 67-47 at Clark-Danielson Gymnasium in Minneapolis.
 
Kaija Davies (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) was the only Yellowjacket to score in double figures, finishing with 11 points to go along with five rebounds and a pair of blocks.
 
The Yellowjackets (2-3, 1-3 UMAC) closed the early gap to 7-4 on an Ellie Leadstrom (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) jumper with seven minutes to play in the opening quarter, but things went dry after that and the Rams opened up a big lead. The Yellowjackets found their stride in the second quarter, outscoring the Rams 12-8 but still trailed at the half.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Yellowjackets chipped away at the North Central lead, outscoring the Rams 11-4 over the final five minutes, with Erika Mattson (Ely, Minn./Ely Memorial) scoring six points to lead the charge.
 
Leadstrom finished with nine points and three rebounds, while Kaelyn Christian (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville Senior) added nine points. Mady Sanders (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and Miranda Broberg (Milaca, Minn./Milaca) led the team with three assists.
 
The Yellowjackets are back home Thursday, February 18 when they host St. Scholastica at Mertz Mortorelli Gym. The opening tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
 
UW-Superior and Yellowjacket Athletics will follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols recommended by the Douglas County Health Department. To conduct our events in the safest manner possible, spectators will not be permitted at UW-Superior home athletic events. Fans can follow the Yellowjackets through our online content provider, the iFan Sports Network. Fans can also listen to contests live on the radio home of Yellowjacket sports, 91.3 KUWS.