Box Score
The LumberJills got their first win of the season tonight in hosting Finlandia University. After a close first half, the Jills pulled away in the second half for the 81-63 victory. The win moves the Jills early season record to 1-2 as they head to Lakeland College for a tournament game this weekend.
Northland trailed 12-10 after the first five minutes but used a 15-6 run over the next four minutes to take their largest lead of the first half at 25-16. Freshman Ashleigh Galligan (Campbellsport, WI) got things started with a jumper and three consecutive steals by the Jills led to two free throws for Maria Mackey (Fr., Holmen, WI) and a three point shot from Lulu Seelye (Fr., Deer River, MN). Laura Fisher (So., Green Bay, WI) added a basket as did Seelye and Chelsea Lundgren (Jr., Crosby, MN) as the Jills went 6 of 7 from the field during the stretch.
The Lions hung tough though and came back to take a 31-29 lead with 3:43 to play. Northland finished the half on a 10-4 run to grab a 39-35 halftime lead. "We didn't play tough enough in the first half," said Coach Roiger. "We gave up some post moves and offensive rebounds that we shouldn't have and it cost us a bigger lead. We felt like we could play stronger and finish our defensive possessions better in the second half, and get the ball inside more in the second half.
It was 42-40 after the first minute and a half of the second period when the Jills went on a 10-0 run over the next four minutes. The Jills did get the ball inside and posts Fisher and Lungren scored all of the 10 points, four of them on offensive rebounds. Finlandia never got closer than 10 points after that, and the Jills eventually expanded their lead to 20 before settling for the 18 point win.
"We played well in the second half," said Coach Roiger of the 42-28 period in favor of the Jills. "We played defense like we are capable of and that allowed our fastbreak to get going. And our posts played much stronger both in getting the ball as well as in finishing their shots. It was a fun win for us."
Lundgen led the Jills with 21 points and 10 rebounds, her first double-double of the year. Fisher was close behind with 12 points and 8 boards, and Mackey (Fr., Holmen, WI) had an outstanding game scoring 11 points and adding 3 assists and 3 steals with no turnovers for the Jills in only 14 minutes. Galligan and LIndsey Hamm (Jr., Ontonagon, MI) had 10 points each and Hamm had three assists and no turnovers from her point guard position. Freshman Lulu Seelye added nine points, a pair of steals, and two assists for the Jills.
Overall the Jills shot 45% from the field, 49% in the second half, and 12 of 14 from the line. They outrebounded Finlandia by five, and forced 24 turnovers while committing only 16. The Jills also had a season high 18 assists and a season high 14 steals and committed only 13 fouls, big improvements from their play this weekend.
Northland will now travel to Lakeland College in Sheboygan for a tournament this weekend. Lawrence University will play the hosts at 6 pm on Friday while the Jills play Cornell College at 8 pm Friday. Saturday the Jills will play at 2 pm if they lose the first contest, 4 pm if the win the first game. Both games will be broadcast live on the Northland Webcast.