ASHLAND, Wis. – The Northland College Women's Basketball team fell in its home opener 85-53 to St. Mary's University Tuesday night in Ashland, Wis. Senior Katelyn Altaha recorded a career-high of 18 points and was one rebound away from a double-double in the loss.
 
"I thought it went well," said Head Coach Corey Sackmann after the game. "We sat down on film yesterday and went over our turnovers and looking what happens when we run our offense. We were able to do that for the most part tonight. In the first quarter, we couldn't buy a bucket. We fought and battled like we wanted to but ran out of gas. Offensively, I couldn't ask for a better game and the improvement."
 
Kodie Rempp answered back after the first made basket by SMU to start the scoring for the Jills. The offense was held quiet after that as the Cardinals went on their largest scoring run of the game. A free throw from Hannah Peel ended the scoring drive. Saleen Thepmontry scored her first collegiate points banking in a three and on the following trip down Hanna Hoskin connected from deep to end the seven-point Northland run.
 
Altaha started the scoring in the second quarter for NC after going 2-for-2 at the charity stripe and then knocked down a three for her first points of the game. Shortly after Altaha completed a three-point play, scoring the first eight points of the quarter for the Jills. On the following missed layup by SMU Peel connected for deep for her first three of the game. Altaha ended the quarter scoring on back-to-back drives.
 
Altaha continued to make her shots starting the second half with Northland's first two buckets. Britta Josephson followed up the baskets by going 2-of-2 at the line to get on the scorer's sheet. Hoskin assisted on a Rempp three-pointer to cut the lead to the smallest it had been in the quarter. Hoskin made a two-point jumper to end the scoring in the half. Northland had its biggest scoring quarter in the third while holding St. Mary's to its lowest-scoring quarter.
 
Peel started the final quarter with a three-pointer with the first shot. After nearly seven minutes Northland got off 44 points with a jumper by Peel. Josephson intercepted a play on the next play and drove in for an easy two points. After a defensive rebound, Josephson fired a pass to a wide-open Peel who scored the driving layup. Rempp ended the scoring for Northland knocking down another three.
 
"Coming off back-to-back games last weekend I knew we were going to be kinda tired, but I think we really pulled through," said senior Altaha. "I'm excited for our next game and taking steps forward each game."
 
Altaha led the scoring with a career-high 18 points in the game and had a team-high nine rebounds. Behind her in both stats was Peel with 13 points and eight rebounds, seven rebounds came in the first half. Rempp rounded out the top three scorers with eight points. Hoskin assisted on four baskets. Altaha also led the team in steals with three. Madie Linka made her collegiate debut in the third quarter.
 
Northland travels to the College of St. Scholastica for its next game on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
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.