SAINT PAUL, Minn. – After seeing their Upper Midwest Atheltic Conference (UMAC) winning streak snapped by Martin Luther last Saturday, the Yellowjacket women's basketball team returned to the hardwood to take on Northwestern Wednesday evening. Reigning UMAC Player of the Year Elise Besonen (Ewen, Mich./Ewen-Trout Creek) has been one of the leaders of this Yellowjacket squad, leading the team in scoring (251 points) while also sitting atop the national rankings in free throw percentage (95.00).
 
Wednesday night she showcased why she's the reigning player of the year in the league.
 
Besonen shot 59 percent from the field while draining four three pointers against the Eagles. In doing so, she set a new high-water mark with 32 points scored, pacing the Yellowjackets to a 69-63 win over Northwestern.
 
Game Notes

• Besonen sent a pass to MyKenzie Leccia (Somerset, Wis./Somerset) during Superior's first possession of the game, which she drained for three points. Elsa Olson (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park), Katie Dobson (Black River Falls, Wis./Black River Falls) and Charlotte Ferstl (Plain, Wis./River Valley) also logged points midway through the quarter, giving the 'Jackets an early advantage.
• After ending the first quarter with a five-point lead at 13-8, the Eagles responded with Jasmine Sondrol and Grace Landvik's efforts to bring them within one. Besonen logged 11 of UW-Superior's points in the second, leading 27-22 heading into halftime.
• The third quarter featured the Eagles' highest scoring period of the evening, logging 22 points to the Yellowjackets' 11. After typing things up at 29-29, both teams traded fouls and free throws until a jumper from Besonen and a layup from Chloe Peterson (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) gave Superior yet another five-point lead.
• UNW stole the lead with two minutes remaining, drawing fouls and garnering points from the charity stripe. It would lead by six points (44-38) heading into the final quarter of action.
• With early long balls from Besonen and Dobson, the Yellowjackets snatched the lead back at 6:25. Olson added a trio of jumpers to halt Northwestern's momentum, and with a missed layup at the other end, the Yellowjackets saw Besonen drain her fourth shot beyond the arc.
• Action progressed with Peterson finishing a crucial three-point play, forcing Northwestern to call a timeout. The Eagles came within five after a three pointer from Reese Sellers but were forced to foul on the next possession. After Besonen logged two more from the line and Dobson split her attempts, the Yellowjackets got back in the win column with a 69-63 win on the road.
• This marks the third win in a row for the 'Jackets inside the Ericksen Center, dating back to the 2022-23 campaign.
• Olson logged 13 points on the night, adding eight defensive rebounds. Dobson, Besonen and Dehler collaborated for 21 rebounds, grabbing seven boards apiece.

 
The Yellowjackets (8-8, 4-1 UMAC) return to the home confines of Mertz Mortorelli Gym Saturday, as they face off with the reigning conference champions in Minnesota Morris. The opening tipoff is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. in Superior.
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