SUPERIOR, Wis. - The Yellowjacket women's basketball team returned to Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium Friday, who now face Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) competitors for the remainder of the regular season.
The 'Jackets faced off against the Vikings of Bethany Lutheran, featuring a back-and-forth game in the first half that saw the Vikings ahead 40-30 at halftime. UWS saw signs of life in the third quarter and used the home-court advantage in the fourth to edge Bethany Lutheran 74-70.
Senior
Erika Mattson (Ely, Minn./Ely Memorial) led the offensive charge, notching 19 points with three rebounds, four blocks and a steal to boot. Not far behind Mattson was
MyKenzie Leccia (Somerset, Wis./Somerset), who added 15 points and two steals of her own.
The Yellowjackets now hold an overall record of 9-8, coupled with a 5-1 mark in conference action.
Game Notes
- The Vikings commenced a balanced attack right away, scoring 18 points in the first quarter that was evenly split between starters and players off the bench.
- UWS came within two in the second quarter, but Bethany Lutheran continued to pour on the offensive, taking advantage of Yellowjacket turnovers to head into the break with a ten-point advantage.
- The Yellowjackets shot 41.3% from the field in the first half, compared to the Vikings' 55.5%.
- Defense was key in the second half, as the 'Jackets didn't allow a single point from the Vikings' bench.
- The Yellowjackets grabbed 23 rebounds in the second half, led by Ferstl and Hannah Hause (Stanley, Wis./Stanley-Boyd) who contributed six each.
- UWS outscored the Vikings 17-16 in the third and 27-14 in the final quarter of action.
- Elise Besonen (Ewen, Mich./Ewen-Trout Creek) played a full 40 minutes on Friday, the ninth time she's done so this season. She holds a team-leading 609 minutes played.
- Bethany Lutheran was led by Aubrea Kor and Gianna Klarenbeek, who finished with 18 and 17 points, respectively.
The Yellowjackets stay at home Saturday for another conference game against Martin Luther. The opening tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
