Mankato, MN. – The Vikings women's basketball team beat the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets 72-60 to end a three game losing streak. The win marks the first time the Yellowjackets have lost a UMAC game, and also puts the Vikings record at 11-4. The Vikings are 5-1 in the UMAC conference, tied for the top spot.
The Vikings started out the game hot, scoring the first four points of the first quarter. The Yellowjackets would come back to tie the game, and the two teams would trade small leads through the end of the first quarter, which saw the Vikings up 13-12. In the second quarter, the Vikings would jump out to a small, three point lead twice in the early minutes; but the Yellowjackets would be able to close the gap each time. The quarter remained close, until the Vikings went on a 19-2 run to end the half, leading 37-21.
The Vikings would take control in the second half, staying right around the 17 point lead they had at the end of the first half. They would extend their lead to a game high 25 points near the end of the third quarter, and for the first few minutes of the fourth the Vikings maintained a 20 point lead. The Yellowjackets would make a comeback effort at the end, with the Vikings winning the game with a 12 point lead, their lowest of the half.
Defense, which was a big reason for the three game losing streak, would be the Vikings biggest ally in this game. They were able to force 28 Yellowjacket turnovers, which they would convert to 34 points. The Vikings also had 10 steals, and kept the Yellowjackets to 41% shooting from the field.
Haley Sandin scored a season high 32 points and also was a menace defensively, stealing the ball 6 times.
Hanna Geistfeld also had a great game, scoring 17 points and collecting 7 rebounds, including 4 offensive rebounds, which helped the Vikings score 12 second chance points.
Up next: The Vikings look to stay undefeated at home, as they take on Crown College on Wednesday, January 9th at 5:30 p.m.
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MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact Dan DeWitt at 507-344-7856 or email ddewitt@blc.edu
