SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Yellowjacket women's basketball team entered the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) as the No. 3 seed last week. After falling to Minnesota Morris in the regular season finale, the 'Jackets entered James Gremmels Court and took down the Cougars 68-59 to advance to the title game.
North Central upset Bethany Lutheran in their semifinal game, serving the Vikings their first loss since early January and earning the chance to play in the conference title game.
The Yellowjackets began Saturday's action with a 21-9 advantage in the first half, and from there they continued to pour it on and claim their second postseason tournament championship in as many years with a 78-51 win inside Mertz Mortorelli Gym.
Game Notes
- MyKenzie Leccia (Somerset, Wis./Somerset) and Maddie Reott (Stoughton, Wis./Stoughton) commenced the scoring for Superior, and from there a three from Elsa Olson (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) gave the 'Jackets a seven-point lead at 12-5.
- Momentum favored UWS as they led by 12 heading into the second quarter, but even after leading by as many as 19 points, North Central began to creep back within striking distance.
- Superior heated up at the start of the third with Reott, Johnson and Megan Schafer (Grantsburg, Wis./Grantsburg) controlling the scoring. Hope Carlson (Duluth, Minn./Proctor) added a three midway through and later added four points from the charity stripe before Colleen Claude (Centuria, Wis./Homeschool) split her free throws late in the third.
- The 'Jackets outscored the Rams 25-9 in the third leading by as many as 28 points before the final frame.
- The Yellowjackets turned to their bench and saw a bundle of points come courtesy of Chesney Phillipp (Jacksonville, N.C./Holdingford) inside the paint, who capped the scoring to give UWS a 78-51 win.
- Reott led Superior with 23 points, adding seven rebounds, three assists and one block. She was named the UMAC Tournament MVP.
- Johnson nearly missed a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing nine boards.
The Yellowjackets have earned the UMAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. They will learn their opponent through the NCAA Selection Show, scheduled for Monday at 1:30 p.m. CT.
