01/12/07

St. Scholastica lost a twelve-point halftime lead as they fell to Northwestern 55-43 in UMAC basketball action at home in the Reif gymnasium.

 Junior Whitney Latham was the lone Saint to end in double figures with a team high 12 points. Amanda Johnson added 9 points, and Kirsten Haukom had a team high 6 boards. Megan Downs led the team with 4 assists in the loss.

 Junior Whitney Latham was the lone Saint to end in double figures with a team high 12 points. Amanda Johnson added 9 points, and Kirsten Haukom had a team high 6 boards. Megan Downs led the team with 4 assists in the loss.

 Northwestern was led by Jen Adamson’s 22 points, 18 of which came in the second half, while Katie Tuseth added 14 and had team highs in both rebounds (8) and assists (3).

 Northwestern was led by Jen Adamson’s 22 points, 18 of which came in the second half, while Katie Tuseth added 14 and had team highs in both rebounds (8) and assists (3).

The difference between first and second half action could not have been more remarkable.

The difference between first and second half action could not have been more remarkable.

 St. Scholastica opened the game with a 12-0 run as four different Saints hit baskets. Latham led with five points in the opening six minutes of play.

 St. Scholastica opened the game with a 12-0 run as four different Saints hit baskets. Latham led with five points in the opening six minutes of play.

 Northwestern did not hit their first basket until nearly seven minutes into the game. With 13:04 remaining in the half, Tuseth hit a lay-up that finally got the Eagles on the board.

 Northwestern did not hit their first basket until nearly seven minutes into the game. With 13:04 remaining in the half, Tuseth hit a lay-up that finally got the Eagles on the board.

 Having led by as many as 14 points multiple times in the opening 20 minutes, the Saints eventually took a 28-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.

 Having led by as many as 14 points multiple times in the opening 20 minutes, the Saints eventually took a 28-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.

 That lead dwindled as time ticked by in the second half. Northwestern twice cut St. Scholastica’s lead to three before Nikki Doyle hit a 3-pointer for the Eagles with 12:28 remaining to tie the score 33-33.

 That lead dwindled as time ticked by in the second half. Northwestern twice cut St. Scholastica’s lead to three before Nikki Doyle hit a 3-pointer for the Eagles with 12:28 remaining to tie the score 33-33.

 With just over 12 minutes remaining, a Saints turnover and a Tuseth 3-pointer gave Northwestern the lead for the first time in the game at 36-33.

 With just over 12 minutes remaining, a Saints turnover and a Tuseth 3-pointer gave Northwestern the lead for the first time in the game at 36-33.

Apparently, one lead was all they needed.

Apparently, one lead was all they needed.

The rest of the second half saw the Saints crumble. They hit their last basket with 5:38 to play, a Johnson 3-pointer, and were haunted by fouls until time expired.

The rest of the second half saw the Saints crumble. They hit their last basket with 5:38 to play, a Johnson 3-pointer, and were haunted by fouls until time expired.

 In second half play, the Saints doubled their first half turnovers in addition to more than doubling their first half fouls. They ended the game with 21 turnovers and 18 fouls.

 In second half play, the Saints doubled their first half turnovers in addition to more than doubling their first half fouls. They ended the game with 21 turnovers and 18 fouls.

 Northwestern capitalized on the opportunity, going 15-for-20 from the free throw line, but they similarly finished with 19 turnovers and 12 fouls.

 Northwestern capitalized on the opportunity, going 15-for-20 from the free throw line, but they similarly finished with 19 turnovers and 12 fouls.

 Both teams suffered shooting woes as the Saints finished at 28.0% from the field and Northwestern’s game average was 38.6%. Perhaps the most significant offensive statistic from the game, and the turning point for the Eagles, was their improvement to 52.2% from their first half total of 23.8%.

 Both teams suffered shooting woes as the Saints finished at 28.0% from the field and Northwestern’s game average was 38.6%. Perhaps the most significant offensive statistic from the game, and the turning point for the Eagles, was their improvement to 52.2% from their first half total of 23.8%.

With the loss, the Saints drop to 4-9 overall and 0-2 in conference play. North-western climbs to 3-9 and 2-0 in UMAC action. Both teams take the court tomorrow afternoon as the Saints face Crown College at home and Northwestern travels to Northland College.