Notables
-The Saints improve to 16-0 all-time at home vs. North Central
-Cieluch matched a career-high from the night before with 18 points and also grabbed 11 rebounds, for her first collegiate double-double
-Points off Turnovers: CSS-27, NCU-10
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) -- The St. Scholastica women's basketball team held North Central University (Minn.) to five points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Rams 71-54 on Alumni Day Saturday at the Reif Gymnasium.
The Action
The Saints shot 61 percent in the first quarter of play and scored 25 points to end with a 25-14 advantage.
Danielle Cieluch (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) netted eight points in the frame. The Saints continued to lead throughout the second quarter, but the Rams started to chip away. Whenever North Central got close
Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) buried a 3-pointer to extend the margin. The Rams did outscore the Saints 19-14. shortening the lead 39-33 at the half.
The Rams fought hard to get ahead in the third quarter, but were always one step behind CSS. North Central was within three on a couple of occassions and got the lead to two with under two minutes remaining in the quarter.
Kayla Swanson (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS) then converted a big three-point-play to add some cushion and the Saints led 56-52 at the end of three quarters.
CSS was eventually able to pull away halfway through the fourth quarter. St. Scholastica limited the Rams to only five points this quarter, and ended the game with the win and a score of 71-57.
Top Performers
Cieluch matched her career-high from Fridat night, scoring 18 points. She also led the team with a career-high 11 rebounds. Walther scored 15 and and
Holly VanKempen (Elbow Lake, Minn./West Central HS) scored 12 points. Cieluch and Swanson had six assists each.
North Central's Lizzy Swanson and Annabel Morrisroe scored the most points for their team. Each had 19 points. Morrisroe also added 17 rebounds.
Up Next
The Saints (5-12, 4-6 UMAC) travel to Ashland, Wisconsin to face Northland College on Friday, January 27. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
