After a tough three-game stretch to open the 2014-15 season, the UW-Superior women's basketball team was itching for a victory as they traveled to St. Paul to take on the Macalester Scots Saturday afternoon.

The Yellowjackets came through in fine fashion, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back on the way to an impressive 69-49 victory at Alumni Gymnasium.

For the game, UW-Superior shot 48.3 percent from the field in improving to 1-3 on the season. Macalester meanwhile dropped to 2-1 with the loss.

The Yellowjackets started off fast against the Scots, getting layups from Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) and Bailee Bartunek (Audobon, Minn./Lake Park-Audobon) along with a three-pointer from Brynn Liljander (Isanti, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) in the opening 3:47 for a 7-2 lead.

An inside score by Hadley Skalmoski (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) and two layups from Vanessa Lebens (Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area) upped the UW-Superior margin to 17-6 with 9:57 remaining before a Macalester run cut the Yellowjackets' lead to 26-21 on a free throw by the Scots' Karen Rathjens in the final 1:14 of the opening frame.

UW-Superior came right back, scoring eight of the last 10 points for a 34-23 halftime lead following two free throws by Liljander in the final eight seconds of action.

Two straight jumpers from Grace Kennedy (Wausau, Wis./Newman Catholic) to start the second half put UW-Superior up 38-23 with 18:46 left in regulation. From there, the Yellowjackets took their largest lead of the afternoon when a jumper from Skalmoski made it 48-25 with 15:05 remaining on the clock.

Macalester would never come closer than 15 points the rest of the way as UW-Superior knocked down 78.6 percent of their free throws and forced 15 Scots' turnovers to seal the victory.

Offensively, the Yellowjackets were paced by Linzmeier with 15 points. Skalmoski added 12 more for UW-Superior.

Macalester was led by Vivi Gregorich with a game-high 17 points while Regan Fruh finished with 15.

The Yellowjackets continue their road swing as they travel to St. Scholastica for a meeting with the Saints on Tuesday. Game time from the Reif Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game can be heard live on 91.3 FM with Matt Johnson providing the call.