APPLETON, Wis. – Following action at the 2023 Midway Classic on the campus of the University of Chicago, the Yellowjacket women's basketball team traveled a bit closer to home Friday, taking on the Vikings of Lawrence University. Despite the 'Jackets taking an early lead, the Vikings took over and produced a balanced attack on their way to a 63-45 victory.
 
UWS opened the scoring right away, courtesy of junior Katie Dobson (Black River Falls, Wis./Black River Falls) hitting an early three-pointer off a feed from sophomore MyKenzie Leccia (Somerset, Wis./Somerset). Lawrence would respond and jump out to a 9-5 lead before junior Elise Besonen (Ewen, Mich./Ewen-Trout Creek) capitalized on a shot beyond the arc, bringing the 'Jackets within one. After scoring from junior Emily Dehler (Pierz, Minn./Pierz Healy) and senior Erika Mattson (Ely, Minn./Ely Memorial), Lawrence would end the first quarter with two free throws after a Yellowjacket foul, giving them an 18-13 edge.
 
Quarter number two was dominated by the Vikings, which began with Mallory Meyer taking advantage of the fastbreak and scoring two. Dehler countered with a layup of her own, but Lawrence began to power past the 'Jackets, as they would create a 21-point lead towards the end of the quarter. Hailie Evans (Proctor, Minn./Proctor) and Elsa Olson (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) each pitched in two points, as they trailed the Vikings 37-20 heading into halftime.
 
The stoppage of play wouldn't halt the offensive output for the home team, however, as the Vikings continued to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Freshman Charlotte Ferstl (Plain, Wis./River Valley) took a layup in the paint, which was followed by a Leccia jumper, bringing the score to 43-24. Lawrence once again countered before Besonen hit a three-pointer, but her efforts were cancelled out with a three-pointer by the Vikings.
 
In the final quarter, junior Chloe Peterson (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) kicked off the Yellowjackets' scoring with a three-point shot, which was followed by Ferstl securing two points with a jumper. UWS began to create a comeback, as Ferstl, Olson and Mattson tallied points, but the Vikings were able to counter. Sophomore Sidney Bader (Milltown, Wis./Unity) ended the scoring for the 'Jackets with a layup inside the paint, but that would be all as Lawrence came away with the 63-45 victory.
 
Besonen finished her evening with eight points, while Ferstl tallied seven. Dehler led the defense with six boards, while three Yellowjackets ended the evening with five rebounds. UWS edged the Vikings with 18 points within the paint to their 14, and 20 bench points compared to Lawrence's 10.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-2, 0-0) stay on the road as they face Alverno Saturday. Tipoff is set for a 2 p.m. start inside Reiman Gymnasium.