ASHLAND, Minn. – The Northland College Women's Basketball team fell in its opening two Upper Midwest Athletic Conference games, 32-92 to the University of Minnesota, Morris on Friday and 42-68 to Crown College on Saturday. The LumberJills had their highest scoring weekend with a season high 42 against the Polars.
The conference opener did not start the way Northland would have liked with the Cougars scoring the first 12 points.
Kodie Rempp scored the first points for the Jills coming off a layup.
Madi Owens had a career night with scoring 14 points. Owens and
Katelyn Altaha led the team with the deep ball converting on three attempts.
Defensively, Altaha and Rempp paced NC with five rebounds.
Madison Mendoza came away with four of the team's six steals. Owens also recorded Northland's only block in the contest.
The Jills had a much better start against the Polars. Altaha snagged an offensive rebound and kicked it out to
Tara Sandoval who knocked down a three for the first points of the game. After a few points from Crown Rempp made a three-points to regain the lead for Northland at 7-5. Owens made her first deep ball of the game to tie the game at 14 all. In the final minute, the Polars scored on a layup to end the first quarter up 16-14.
Crown started the second period with three, on the other end of the court in her season debut
Donna Jackson scored her first points on a layup assisted by Altaha. The Polars began to extend their lead in the quarter, going up 17 at the end of the half.
The rest of the game followed like the second quarter with the Polars getting offensive rebounds and put back to extend their lead and win 68-42. Crown College had 22 offensive rebounds with 11 coming from Isabelle Sager.
The LumberJills were led by Altaha with 14 points with eight coming from the free throw line. Behind her was Owens who reached double-figures for the second game in a row. All seven student-athletes who entered the game all recorded points. Altaha and Mendoza led the team in assists with two.
Altaha also led the team on the glass with six boards, three offensive and three defensive. Owens was tied with her also with six, one offensive and five defensive. Rempp led the team with three steals and Altaha recorded the sole block for the Jills.
The Jills play their final home game of 2023 Tuesday when they host the College of Saint Scholastica with a 6 p.m., tipoff.
Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Ashland, WI. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 14 varsity sports and compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, Midwest Lacrosse Conference, and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
