UMAC Game of the Week: Martin Luther vs. Northwestern - Women's Basketball

UMAC Game of the Week: Martin Luther vs. Northwestern - Women's Basketball

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The UMAC Game of the Week runs each Thursday during the conference regular season and breaks down one key matchup from one sport. 

The Matchup
Saturday, Jan. 13 - Northwestern at Martin Luther,  women's basketball, 5 p.m. in New Ulm, Minnesota
***UPDATE***
Northwestern wins 73-52

What's at Stake
  • Postseason hopes - Northwestern (4-2) has been a consistent top three finisher in the UMAC in recent years and will look to challenge for a title later in the year. Martin Luther (2-4) has knocked off the College of St. Scholastica in each of the last two seasons in order to qualify for the postseason tournament. A win would help keep both in the playoff hunt.
  • Ending the streak - Both squads will look to end significant losing streaks. Martin Luther won its two UMAC-opening games before losing four in row. Northwestern won four in a row before losing each of its last two conference games and three of its last four overall.  
Previously in Action
  • Martin Luther came up short in a 65-49 loss to the University of Minnesota Morris at home Wednesday.
  • Northwestern fell to the University of Wisconsin-Superior at home 63-40 Wednesday. 

Need to Know
  • Low-scoring affair - Both Martin Luther and Northwestern average fewer than 58 points per contest in UMAC play. However, each team has scored 50 or fewer points in a game for a combined 12 times this season, which could see Saturday's game with low digits on both sides. 
  • Opposite ends - Martin Luther ranks second in the UMAC for rebounding (44.2 per game) and rebounding margin (3.5), while Northwestern is last with 35.0 rebounds per game. However, the eagles allow just 39.3 per game which is second best in conference play. Rebounding could have a big impact on the outcome of the contest. 
  • Ball control - The Knights and Eagles are among the top four in the conference for fewest turnovers per game with both posting 19.7 in UMAC games. The team that takes control of the ball best could come out on top.

Players to Watch - Martin Luther
  • Grace Schultz, Sr., G - All-Defensive last season; UMAC Stats: 17.2 ppg, 41.0 FG%, 8.3 rpg, 4.0 stl/g, 2.7 ast/g
  • Jade St. Germaine, Sr., F - Honorable Mention last season; UMAC Stats: 12.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.8 b/g
  • Emily Witkowski, Fy., F - UMAC Stats: 33.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg

Players to Watch - Northwestern
  • Amy Berglund, Jr., G - All-UMAC, All-Defensive last season; UMAC Stats: Tied for lead in scoring (19.7 ppg), 51.0 FG% ,9.0 rpg, 4.2 stl/g, 2.3 ast/g 
  • Rio Landers, So., F - UMAC Stats: 6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.2 blk/g
  • Taryn Tumbleson, Jr., G - UMAC Stats: 10.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.3 ast/g, 1.3 b/g; Leads UMAC in stl/g (5.5)
This game will be a "can't miss." Keep up with all the action with live stats and live video for the game. Get in on the action by interacting on social media (#UMACgotw). 

2017-18 Game of the Week Archives