MORRIS, Minn. - The UMN Morris women's basketball team (11-9, 6-5 UMAC) picked up a key conference win Wednesday night with a 77-72 decision over Northwestern (13-8, 9-3 UMAC). Senior forward Abby Van Kempen scored a career-best 23 points on the evening, which included a pair of made free throws late in the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The two teams kept things close as Northwestern held the largest lead of the opening quarter at four points three different times.Â
- With 1:20 remaining in the first quarter, Ella Van Kempen made a layup to put the Cougars in front, 18-16. Northwestern then responded with a minute to go to tie things up at 18-18.
- After 10 minutes of action, the score was tied at 18-all.
- Less than two minutes into the second quarter, A. Van Kempen extended the Cougar to six points at 28-22.
- With 2:16 remaining in the opening half, A. Van Kempen gave the Cougars a 39-31 lead heading into half.
- The Cougars then came out of halftime on a 9-0 run to build their lead to 17 with 7:23 to go in the third.
- Trailing by 17, the Eagles slowly brought the deficit to one point and then took a 52-50 lead with 1:10 to play in the third quarter.
- A. Van Kempen connected on a 3-pointer with 57 seconds remaining to put the Cougars up 53-52 heading into the fourth.
- The fourth quarter saw both teams continue to go back-and-forth as the majority of the fourth quarter was a one-possession game.
- After conceding the lead with 8:44 to go, the Cougars took back the lead at 55-54 on a Lexus Eagle Chasing jumper.Â
- Northwestern brought the game within one point twice with less than a minute to play, but nine-straight made free throws secured the 77-72 victory for the Cougars.
NOTABLES
- Along with her 23 points, A. Van Kempen secured seven rebounds.
- Mia Wassink scored 10 points and secured eight rebounds. Wassink has scored in double-digits in 19 of 20 games this season.
UP NEXT
The Cougars are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Northland in Ashland, Wisconsin. Game time is set for 3:45 p.m.
