SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Yellowjacket women's basketball team was at home Saturday afternoon, taking on the Norse of Luther College. Both teams were eager to get in the win column with tonight's game, as the 'Jackets entered with a two-game losing streak while Luther was searching for its first win of the 2023-24 campaign.
 
Despite freshman Charlotte Ferstl (Plain, Wis./River Valley) and junior Elise Besonen (Ewen, Mich./Ewen-Trout Creek) earning double-figures in the contest, the Norse came up with their first win of the season with a 65-51 decision.
 
It took both teams a bit to find their footing, but UWS struck first after Chloe Peterson (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) was fouled and made one free throw. Luther countered with a pair of jumpers by Chelin Isaacson before Ferstl grasped her first points of the contest.
 
From there the 'Jackets gave up costly turnovers which allowed the Norse to capitalize and give themselves an eight-point lead at 13-5.  To close the first quarter of play, junior Emily Dehler (Pierz, Minn./Pierz Healy) took a foul and scored both free throws awarded, while Katie Dobson (Black River Falls, Wis./Black River Falls) drained a shot from downtown to bring the 'Jackets within five at 15-10.
 
As Dobson capped the scoring for UWS in the first quarter, she would also start the second-quarter scoring as the drained another shot from beyond the arc. Besonen would score a three pointer to bring the 'Jackets within three, but the Norse would finish a layup that commenced an 11-point run that went unanswered by the Yellowjackets.
 
Erika Mattson (Ely, Minn./Ely Memorial) broke the scoring streak with a jumper, but it was quickly negated with a three-point shot from Luther's Megan Miller. The Norse would score another two points off free throws after Mattson committed a foul, but Elsa Olson (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) would end the first half of play with a shot from downtown, keeping the 'Jackets within 14 at 35-21.
 
Coming out of the break, MyKenzie Leccia (Somerset, Wis./Somerset) would drain two shots from beyond the arc to keep things interesting, bringing UWS within eight. Ferstl scored off a layup inside the paint, but Luther took control with a three, a pair of layups from Kailey Jones and jump shots from Kate Hosking and Chelin Isaacson for a 20-point lead. Besonen broke the scoring lull with a jumper within the paint and Ferstl picked up another two to end the third quarter at 53-35, favoring Luther.
 
The Yellowjackets outscore the Norse in the final quarter of action, as Peterson nailed both free throws after taking a foul from Kailey Jones. She would counter with two points of her own before Ferstl answered back with another two points. Teams would trade points at the midpoint of the fourth, but Luther would hold the lead after time expired, giving the Norse their first win of the season with a 65-51 decision.
 
Ferstl ended the game with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Besonen finished with 11 points and five boards. Leccia accounted for eight points, while Dobson had six. Peterson capped her evening with six rebounds and Dehler had five.
 
The Yellowjackets (2-4, 0-0 UMAC) continue non-conference action Tuesday where they face Lakeland. Opening tipoff inside the Mertz is scheduled for 5 p.m.