St. Norbert 77, Yellowjackets 68
Box Score
After posting two impressive victories to begin their season, the UW-Superior women's basketball team faced the difficult task of defeating a strong St. Norbert team on their home court during the second day of the Baylake Bank Tipoff Tournament in De Pere.
Through 20 minutes, the Yellowjackets proved to be up to the challenge, finding themselves trailing by a narrow 34-32 margin at the intermission.
The second half proved to be a different story however as the Green Knights picked up their play, taking a 13-point lead in the second half and then holding off a late UW-Superior push for a 77-68 victory.
UW-Superior (2-1) got off to a good start in the opening half, taking a 13-9 lead with 12:06 remaining in the first half following a jumper by Hailey Hart (Osseo, Wis./Osseo-Fairchild).
But the Green Knights (2-1) would rally right back, taking the lead at 21-19 following a three-pointer by Krista Hawkinson with 6:15 left in the opening half.
The Yellowjackets would eventually even matters at 30-30 with 1:27 left after two free throws by Keely Deadrick (Esko, Minn./Esko).
St. Norbert would retake the lead shortly thereafter, getting two free throws each from Krista Pelky and Tasha Giese in the final 1:07 to take a slim 34-32 advantage into the intermission.
UW-Superior would cut into the deficit early in the second half when Connie Urmanski (Edgar, Wis./Edgar) connected on a three with 18:32 showing on the clock to bring the Yellowjackets within 36-35 early in the final 20 minutes.
The Green Knights would steadily pull away however, going on a 14-2 run over the next 6:10 for a 50-37 cushion after a pair of free throws from Brigette Baudhuin with 12:43 left in regulation.
UW-Superior would make a late charge, cutting lead the 67-64 with 3:14 left on another three by Urmanski.
But Pelky would step up late for the Green Knights, connecting on eight straight free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory for St. Norbert.
The Yellowjackets were led by Urmanski's 19 points while Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) scored 14 points. Bri Davis (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown) and Deandra Vavra (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) added 11 points each for UW-Superior.
Pelky led all scorers with 30 points for the Green Knights while Jamie Kuhl added 16 points, Giese 15 and Hawkinson 14 for St. Norbert.
The Yellowjackets return to action Tuesday night when they head to UMD for a 6 p.m. contest with the Bulldogs.