MANKATO, MN.  – The BLC women's basketball team did what they needed to do in order to advance to the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) tournament championship game. The #2 Vikings defeated the #3 MN-Morris Cougars 72-62 in last night's semi-final, setting up a rematch in the title game against #1 UW-Superior.
 
How it happened:
 
The BLC Vikings steadily controlled the majority of their semi-final game to defeat Morris by 10 points. The Vikings used a quick start in the second half to build their lead to 12 points. The Cougars would respond with a run of their own to bring the margin to just three points in favor of BLC, but the Vikings used a 6-0 run to end the quarter on their way to the win.
 
Abby Olson and Haley Sandin combined for 42 points. The Vikings held a significant advantage in field goal percentage and also outshot the Cougars from three-point range.
 
UW-Superior's hope for another appearance in the NCAA Tournament nearly came to an end last night at the hands of the University of Northwestern. Down by three points with just 15 seconds left, the Yellowjackets shot a three that hit back iron and bounced high, nearly hitting the shot clock, before dropping through the net to send the game into overtime. The Yellowjackets were able to use their experience to outmuscle the Eagles in the extra period, winning by a score of 71-67.
 
For the Yellowjackets, Hannah Norlin recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 boards. Eva Reinertsen and Emily Carpenter had 12 and 11 points, respectively.
 
Earlier This Season:
 
The Vikings and Yellowjackets split during the regular season, each team winning on their home floor. The first game played between the two teams was in Mankato and it wasn't really much of a contest. The Vikings dominated from start to finish, building their lead to as many as 25 points in the third quarter. The Yellowjackets made a late push, but never posed a threat to the Vikings in the end. Abby Olson, the leading scorer for the Vikings, was hurt during the first matchup of the season and did not play. The loss for the Yellowjackets was their first in UMAC play and still remains their only defeat since joining the league.
 
In the second matchup of the season at Superior, the Yellowjackets proved why they are the reigning UMAC champions. They came out strong in the first quarter, building their lead to nine points. The Vikings would cut the lead down to just three points at halftime, but the Yellowjackets steadily pulled away on their way to a 74-61 victory.
 
A Quick Comparison:
 
UW-Superior Yellowjackets: 24-2 overall, 15-1 UMAC, 1st Place

• Leading scorers (UMAC): Hannah Norlin – 15.7 points (3rd), Eva Reinersten – 14.9 points (7th)
• Team Stats (UMAC): 75.9 points per game (2nd), 34.6 Defensive FG% (3rd), 99 3FG Made (3rd), 302 Free Throw Attempts (2nd), 15.8 Turnovers per game (1st)

 
Bethany Lutheran: 21-5 overall, 14-2 UMAC, 2nd place, Head Coach Lyle Jones (17th season)

• Leading scorers (UMAC): Abby Olson – 19.0 (1st), Hanna Geistfeld – 15.6 (4th), Haley Sandin – 15.4 (5th),
• Team Stats (UMAC): 78.3 points per game (1st), 35.0 defensive FG% (4th), 120 3FG Made (1st), 325 Free Throw Attempts (1st), 16.1 Turnovers Per Game (3rd)

The game will be played at 3 PM on Saturday, February 23 at UW-Superior.

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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