UWS Women Fall in Overtime

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

 
Carroll 69, Superior 67 (OT)

Following nearly four weeks of preseason practice, the UW-Superior women’s basketball team finally made their 2014-15 regular-season debut Saturday when they faced off against Carroll College at the St. Norbert College Classic.

While the Yellowjackets started slowly against the Pioneers, UW-Superior caught fire in the second half, outscoring Carroll 41-27 after halftime to force overtime thanks to a clutch three-point shot by Dana Karlstad (Eleva, Wis./Eleva-Strum) with just 5.1 seconds remaining in regulation.

Unfortunately for UW-Superior, a layup by the Pioneers’ Breann Maryanski with just 4.2 seconds remaining in overtime provided the difference in a 69-67 Carroll victory that drops UW-Superior to 0-1 on the season.

After taking a 4-2 lead in the opening 2:34 behind layups from Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) and Hadley Skalmoski (Neenah, Wis./Neenah), The Yellowjackets found themselves behind 10-6 after a jumper by Carroll’s Corrine Engels with 13:15 remaining in the opening half.

UW-Superior went on to take a 13-12 lead on a free throw by Linzmeier at the 8:49 mark before the Pioneers assumed control for the rest of the half, outscoring UW-Superior 21-6 over the final 11:11 to take a 33-19 edge into the intermission.

The Yellowjackets began the second half with a burst, scoring the first 11 points of the frame to come within 33-30 with 16:16 remaining in regulation. Bailee Bartunek (Audobon, Minn./Lake Park-Audobon) scored four points during the run for UW-Superior while Allie Nelson (Augusta, Wis./Augusta), Linzmeier and Grace Kennedy (Wausau, Wis./Newman Catholic) also added baskets in the first 3:44 of the frame.

Carroll responded over the next 8:24, stretching the lead to 51-38 following a layup by Maryanski at the 7:40 mark of the second half.

But UW-Superior continued to chip away, finally evening matters at 56-56 on a short-jumper by Justine Larson (Stanchfield, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) with 1:37 showing on the clock.

With Carroll holding a slim 60-57 lead in the final 10 seconds, a steal by Linzmeier resulted in Karlstad’s left-side three-pointer to force overtime even at 60-60.

In the extra session, UW-Superior took the lead on a three-pointer by Deandra Vavra (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) in the first 28 seconds of overtime.

Carroll came right back, scoring the next five points to take a 65-63 edge on two free throws by Julie Piech with 2:09 remaining in the game.

The two sides traded scores from there, resulting in a 67-67 draw after two free throws from Linzmeier with 29 seconds showing on the clock. Carroll finally sealed the game on the next possession however when Maryanski converted from the inside with just four seconds remaining in the game to make the final 69-67.

Offensively, the Yellowjackets were paced by Linzmeier’s 13 points. Vavra added 11 points for UW-Superior as well.

Maryanski led all scorers with 16 points. Engels finished with 15 while Malory Christensen had 13 points and Rachel Van Sluys 10 for the Pioneers.

The Yellowjackets will take on tournament host St. Norbert on Sunday. Opening tip against the Green Knights is scheduled for 3 p.m.