The 2012-13 season has been one in which the Yellowjacket women's basketball team has made a habit of creating institutional memories.  There were the wins over Stevens Point, Eau Claire and Whitewater, all of which ended lengthy winless streaks for UW-Superior.  There was also the school record six-game winning streak that came to a close early in January.  But perhaps no victory to date makes a more significant impact on the program, and the university, than the one that came at Mertz Mortorelli Gym on Tuesday, January 16.

Despite shooting under 50% from the field, getting dominated on the glass and ultimately falling behind in the first half, the Yellowjackets rallied after the break to overtake UW-River Falls and pick up the 72-67 victory.

The win, the 14th of 2012-13 for the Yellowjackets sets a school record for victories in a season.  The previous record was set by the 1979-80 Yellowjackets, who ultimately went 13-9.

More importantly, the victory, their fourth in a row, keeps the Yellowjackets in the thick of the race for the WIAC championship.  The win, coupled with UW-Oshkosh's win over UW-Whitewater means there are four teams tied atop the conference standings.  Whitewater, Oshkosh, Stevens Point and the Yellowjackets all currently sit at 6-2 in conference play with eight conference contests remaining.

The win was exhilarating, but the road to victory was tenuous, as the Yellowjackets struggled early.

Off the opening tip-off the Yellowjackets immediately went on the attack, only to turn the ball over and give the Falcons the first shot of the game, which they missed.  Kristen Nett (Green Bay, Wis./Bay Port) hit a three at the other end to get the scoring started for the Yellowjackets.  From there the Falcons poured on the offense, eventually opening up a 14-point lead, 27-13, with just over ten minutes left in the half.

The Yellowjackets then began to claw their way back into the game.  After a Kailee McDonald (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) layup made it a ten-point game, Deandra Vavra (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) brought the Yellowjackets back to within single digits from the free throw line, making the deficit 27-18.  The Yellowjacket offense continued to get warmer and a Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) three brought them back to within five at 33-28.

After giving the Falcons four points back on free throws, a three by Connie Urmanski (Edgar, Wis./Edgar) once again made the deficit five with 1:36 to go.  Vanessa Lebens (Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area) closed out the scoring in the first half, hitting a free throw and the Yellowjackets trailed 40-34 at the break.

Nett, just as she did in the first half, started the scoring for the Yellowjackets in the second half, hitting a jumper 28 seconds in.  After an 8-4 run early, the Yellowjackets tied it up at 44-44 on a Linzmeier layup.  After again falling behind, Urmanski hit a jumper to draw the Yellowjackets even.  Following a steal, Linzmeier again drove for the layup giving the Yellowjackets just their second lead of the game, 48-46.

A 6-0 run stretched the Yellowjacket lead, making it 52-46 with 11:49 to play.  The teams traded baskets until later in the half when Carmen Watson (Milwaukee, Wis./James Madison) scored four straight points to make the Yellowjacket edge nine points.  With just 1:11 to play, Linzmeier hit a jumper to give the Yellowjackets their first double digit lead of the game, 70-60.

In the final minute the Falcons got on a run of their own and shaved the Yellowjacket lead to five at 70-65.  Then with 12 seconds to play Vavra hit a pair of free throws to seal the win.

Linzmeier again led the way for the Yellowjackets, scoring 22 points and grabbing six rebounds in 39 minutes of action.  She also had three of the five Yellowjacket steals in the game.  Urmanski was next with nine points and a team best four assists. 

Brittany Gregorich had 18 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Falcons, who got at least ten points from four different players.

Milestone Update: Urmanski jumped into a tie for eighth place on the all-time games played list with 93.  Her next game will jump her into a tie for sixth on the list, where she will join Mandy Giffen (1994-99) and Hailey Hart (Osseo, Wis./Osseo-Fairchild) (2008-12) who both played in 94.  Her nine points give her 1,051 for her career, just six behind Hart for sixth on the all-time scoring list.  She is also third on the all-time assist list with 246, 17 shy of Kati Galovich 2001-05) for second on the list.  Hillary Peterson (Sturgeon Lake, Minn./Moose Lake) had four blocks, which puts her just one behind Melissa Annis (1996-98) for third on the all-time list.

The Yellowjackets (14-3, 6-2 WIAC) return to action on Saturday, January 19 when they will host UW-Platteville.  The opening tip is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and the game can be viewed live through the iFan Sports Network.