SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Yellowjacket women's basketball team entered play Thursday in uncharted territory. Following Saturday's loss at North Central, the Yellowjackets were on a three-game skid, their longest since joining the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference in 2015. Adding to the intrigue, the Yellowjackets were playing host to the Twin Ports rival St. Scholastica, a team in search of its first win of the campaign.
 
Something had to give, and fortunately, for the Yellowjackets, it was their streak.
 
Kaelyn Christian (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville Senior) led the way, scoring 15 points to pace the Yellowjackets to a 57-48 win at Mertz Mortorelli Gym. In addition to her scoring, Christian had three rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block in her most well-rounded effort of the season for the Yellowjackets (3-3, 3-3 UMAC).
 
Things were tight in the opening quarter as both teams struggled to find the mark. After one, the Yellowjackets led 11-10. They got hot and pulled away with a strong second quarter with Christian and Kaija Davies (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) leading the way. The duo combined for 11 points as the Yellowjackets built a 33-26 cushion at the half.
 
St. Scholastica came out strong in the third quarter, going on an 8-2 run early to close the gap to one, 35-34 less than three minutes in. The Yellowjackets responded, getting a layup from Ellie Leadstrom (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) and a Christian three in a span of less than a minute to make it a two-possession game. The Saints kept things close, and at the end of the third, the Yellowjacket lead was a single basket, 44-42.
 
As the fourth quarter wore on the Yellowjackets continued to apply pressure and it was too much for the Saints to handle. With just under two minutes to play Mady Sanders (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) sunk a pair of free throws to give the Yellowjackets an 11-point lead. Christian finished her strong night with a pair of free throws in the final minute, making the final score 57-48.
 
Davies finished the game with nine points and seven boards, while Leadstrom scored four points and pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds. Bryton Kukowski (Duluth, Minn./Hermantown) scored 10 points off the bench, going 4-for-6 from the field. In total 10 different Yellowjackets scored in the game.
 
Lizzie Altendorf finished with 15 points to lead the Saints.
 
The Yellowjackets return to action Saturday when they travel to Crown College. The opening tip is set for 3:00 p.m. in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota.
 
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.