Notables
-Walther surpasses 1,000 career points
-NCU's first-ever win in Duluth (0-17 previously)
-NCU shot 70 percent in the second half
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – North Central University (Minn.) used an 18-0 run in the second half to defeat the St. Scholastica women's basketball team 76-59 Wednesday night at the Reif Gymnasium.
The Action
In the first four minutes of play, the Rams (11-7, 5-5 UMAC) gained a 10-2 advantage, but the Saints would not back down. With 15 seconds left of the first quarter, the Saints would obtain their first lead of the night after out-scoring the Rams 10-1.
The Rams opened up the second quarter with 9-1 run to take back the lead and leave the Saints trailing by seven.
Kaylee Kennedy (Littlefork, Minn./Littlefork-Big Falls HS) and
Alison Huber (Ashland, Wis./Ashland HS (Hibbing CC)) hit back-to-back three-pointers to bring the squad within two with just over a minute left of the half. With the clock winding down, the teams exchanged a couple more three-pointers, but the Rams remained on top 33-28 going into half time.
St. Scholastica came out strong in the third quarter to regain the lead with an 8-2 run headed by Kennedy who held five of those points. Also during that span,
Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) drained a three-pointer, which gave her 1,000 for her career. The quarter held three more lead changes, but the Rams were able to pull away by five heading into the final quarter.
A 13-0 run by the Rams in the fourth would be enough to overpower the Saints. North Central out-scored St. Scholastica 22-10 in the fourth quarter to produce an end score of 76-59.
Top Performers
Walther led the Saints with 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Kennedy tallied 13 points, while Huber added 12 points and eight assists.
Top Performers for the Opponent
Aliison Bulthuis had a game-high 22 points. Emily DiGiorgio produced 11 rebounds and Haleigh Filer had eight assists.
Up Next
The Saints (4-13, 4-6 UMAC) will travel to face-off against the University of Minnesota Morris on Saturday in Morris, Minnesota. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
