Yellowjackets 95, Dubuque 70
The Yellowjacket women's basketball team played a rare Sunday game when they took on the University of Dubuque at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium. The 2015-16 version of the Yellowjackets have picked up right where they left off after last season, as they dominated Dubuque en route to a 95-70 victory.
In a game that saw 54 total fouls called, the outcome was never in doubt.
The first quarter saw the Yellowjackets jump out to a 5-1 lead following an Allie Nelson 3-pointer. Dubuque managed to tie it up at 7-7, but the Yellowjackets went on a 6-0 run to take a 13-7 lead off of a pair of Hailey Kontny free throws. The Yellowjackets kept the Spartans at arm's length the rest of the quarter as they went into the break leading 19-16.
The Yellowjackets started out sluggish in the second quarter as they allowed the Spartans to take the lead 20-19 at the 8:54 mark of the quarter. The two teams began exchanging the lead at this point, with Dubuque taking a 31-30 lead at 4:35. The Yellowjackets offense woke up to end the half, as they went on a 15-4 run capped off by an Nelson layup in the waning seconds of the half to go into the break with a 45-35 lead.
The third quarter saw the Yellowjackets push the lead to 23 following a Hadley Skalmoski jump shot. Leading 61-38 with 5:49 left in the third, the Yellowjackets were able to go on cruise control the rest of the way, as they ended the quarter with a 73-50 lead.
With a 23 point lead, the Yellowjackets were able to empty the benches in the fourth quarter, as 19 players played and 13 scored in the 95-70 victory.
Kontny was once again the leading scorer for the Yellowjackets, finishing with 20 points. She also had four rebounds.
Nelson continued the strong start to her senior campaign, as she finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. This is the second game in a row that Nelson has been the second leading scorer while leading the Yellowjackets in rebounds and assists.
Amelia Leger finished with 11 points, while Grace Kennedy and Skalmoski each finished with 10.
Abbey Meyer led the way for Dubuque with 19 points and six rebounds, leading the team in both categories. Molly Richardson had 15 points, while Emily Brinker added 13 with four rebounds.
The Yellowjackets shot 52.2% as a team, hitting 6-16 from beyond the 3-point arc and going 17-25 from the free throw line.
Dubuque shot 35.8% from the field, hitting 5-12 from beyond the 3-point arc. The Spartans went 27-36 from the free throw line.
The Yellowjackets won the turnover battle, committing only six turnovers to Dubuque's 15.
Next up for the Yellowjackets (2-0, 0-0 UMAC) is a trip to Eau Claire, Wis. Friday for day one of the UW-Eau Claire Tip-Off Classic. The Yellowjackets are taking on UW-La Crosse, with the game time set for 6:00 p.m.