Notables:-Kelsey Sorenson-Giffrow (Braham, Minn./Braham HS (Minn. Duluth)) finished with 21 points and six rebounds for CSS.-St. Scholastica has now won six straight games, all coming against UMAC opponents.-Jacki Smith registered 10 points, 12 rebounds, and eight blocks in an impressive performance for Northwestern.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (csssaints.com) – St. Scholastica women's basketball defeated the University of Northwestern 64-52 on Saturday afternoon for its sixth straight win.
CSS edged Northwestern 31-25 in a tightly contested first half.
Kelsey Sorenson-Giffrow (Braham, Minn./Braham HS (Minn. Duluth)) was the offensive catalyst for the Saints scoring 13 points on 3-of-4 shooting from 3-pointer range and going 4-for-4 on free throws.
St. Scholastica also benefited from an active defense recording five steals and forcing nine turnovers in the half.
The Eagles struggled to find their shooting touch in the first 20 minutes going 6-of-24 from the field and 0-for-9 from beyond the arc. Northwestern took advantage from the line, however, making 13-of-15 free throw attempts in the half.
Northwestern began the second half by cutting the Saints lead to just three points before CSS answered with an 11-0 run.
The Eagles fought back going on a 5-0 run to make the score 44-35 with 12:01 remaining. Shortly after CSS put together an 8-0 to grow the lead to 17, their largest lead of the game.
Northwestern continued to battle but ultimately couldn't overcome a relentless St. Scholastica defense and opportunistic offense. The Saints were credited with 12 steals on night and scored 17 points off turnovers.
The Eagles did a great job protecting the paint in the game totaling 11 blocks, eight coming Jacki Smith, but only managed three points off turnovers.
Chanel Madson led UNW in scoring with 18 points and Smith added 10 points to go along with her eight blocks and 12 rebounds.
Sorenson was the top scorer for CSS with 21 points followed by
Holly VanKempen (Elbow Lake, Minn./West Central HS) (12) and
Mariah Hovick (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake HS) (11). Hovick also contributed seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
With the victory St. Scholastica improves to 12-11 overall and 9-3 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).
The Saints put their winning-streak on the line next when they face Bethany Lutheran on Friday at the Reif Gym. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m.
