Saint Benedict 62, Yellowjackets 51
The Yellowjacket women's basketball team went on the road Tuesday to take on non-conference foe Saint Benedict. Fresh off of a win against UW-Eau Claire, the Yellowjackets were looking to build off that and take home another road win. It was not meant to be, as Saint Benedict came from behind to beat the Yellowjackets 62-51.
The first quarter saw the Yellowjackets jump all over the Blazers, as they scored the first six points of the game. Saint Benedict hit a free throw to break the streak, but the Yellowjackets reeled off four more straight points, capped off by a Bailee Bartunek jump shot to push the lead to 10-1 with 3:55 remaining in the first. Saint Benedict managed to cut the Yellowjacket lead to 14-7 heading into the second quarter, but the Yellowjackets were firing on all cylinders.
The second quarter saw the Yellowjackets push their lead to double figures, as they held Saint Benedict at arm's reach. The Yellowjackets went into the halftime break with a 12 point lead thanks to a pair of free throws by Hailey Kontny at the end of the quarter.
The script was flipped for the second half, as the Blazers came out firing, taking a 31-29 lead after opening the third quarter on 16-2 run. A Bartunek layup and free throw gave the Yellowjackets the lead back at 32-31 with 5:06 remaining in the quarter. The two teams played even basketball the rest of the way, as the Yellowjackets took a 35-34 lead into the fourth quarter following a Kontny free throw.
Saint Benedict to the lead on the first jump shot of the fourth quarter and never looked back, holding the lead the entire quarter as the Yellowjackets fell 62-51.
Kontny led the Yellowjackets in points, rebounds, and assists, finishing with nine points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Bartunek had nine points and three rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. Hadley Skalmoski added eight points and five rebounds.
Saint Benedict was paced by Alison Newton who had 20 points and Grace Wolhowe who finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.
The Yellowjackets shot 38.9% from the field, going 2-8 from beyond the 3-point arc and 7-8 from the free throw line.
Saint Benedict bounced back after shooting 17.39% in the first half to shoot 34.6% from the field in the game, going 7-19 from beyond the 3-point arc, and 19-30 from the free throw line.
The Yellowjackets committed 26 turnovers while Saint Benedict committed 19 turnovers.
Next up for the Yellowjackets (3-2, 0-0 UMAC) is a road trip to Mankato, Minn. on Saturday, December 4 to take on Bethany Lutheran College in their inaugural UMAC game. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.