UMAC Game of the Week: Bethany Lutheran vs. Wisconsin-Superior - Women's Basketball
The UMAC Game of the Week runs each week during the conference regular season and breaks down one key matchup from one sport.
The Matchup
Saturday, Jan. 5 - University of Wisconsin-Superior at Bethany Lutheran College, women's basketball, 3 p.m. in Mankato, Minnesota
***UPDATE***
Bethany Lutheran wins 72-60, snapping Wisconsin-Superior's 53-game conference regular season winning streak and 59-game overall winning streak vs. UMAC opponents since joining the UMAC in 2015-16
What's at Stake
- Conference supremacy - Wisconsin-Superior sits at 5-0 in conference play and Bethany Lutheran is 4-1 to go 1-2 in the standings right now. A win for either team would be a big advantage in seeding down the road heading toward the postseason.
- Postseason rematch - Last year, the Yellowjackets and Vikings finished first and second, respectively, and met in the conference postseason championship game in February. Wisconsin-Superior won its third-straight postseason title by a score of 66-54, the closest margin of victory in the tournament title game since the Yellowjackets joined the league in 2015-16.
- Preseason favorites - The Yellowjackets and Vikings were separated by just three points in the UMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll to finish first and second, respectively, this year. Both teams have started the season hot winning 10 games each before the holiday break. They are the only two women's basketball squads in the UMAC with double-digits in wins already in 2018-19.
Previously in Action
- Bethany Lutheran suffered its first UMAC loss and third-straight defeat on the road against the University of Minnesota Morris Wednesday falling 76-67.
- Wisconsin-Superior won its 10th straight game and fifth conference game with a huge 83-46 defeat of Crown College Wednesday at home.
Need to Know
- Impressive streaks - Wisconsin-Superior comes into this game on a 10-game winning streak and 12-1 overall record with its last loss coming on Nov. 19 against Augsburg College. The Yellowjackets have also won 53-straight UMAC conference games and are unbeaten against UMAC opponents in 59 tries. The Yellowjackets haven't lost a conference regular-season or postseason game since joining the league in 2015-16. Bethany Lutheran is on a three-game skid after starting 10-1 this year.
- High-scoring affair - The Vikings lead the league in scoring with 80.6 ppg against UMAC teams while the Yellowjackets are second with 74.2 ppg. Wisconsin-Superior has outscored its opponents by 25.4 ppg in five tries and the Vikings are just behind at 19.6 ppg. Wisconsin-Superior holds a major defensive advantage, though, allowing UMAC teams just 48.8 ppg and Bethany Lutheran has allowed 61.0 ppg.
- Top-three - The Vikings boast the top three scorers in conference play this season with each owning at least 16.0 ppg. The Yellowjackets have just two players scoring in double-digits in conference games so far.
Players to Watch - Bethany Lutheran
- Hanna Geistfeld, So., F - UMAC Stats: 16.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 57.1 FG%, 0.8 bpg, 2.0 apg
- Abby Olson, So., G - Rookie of the Year last season; UMAC Stats: 24.5 ppg (1st), 5.8 rpg, 54.7 FG%, 53.3 3-pt% (1st), 4.8 apg, 2.4 spg
- Haley Sandin, Sr., G - All-UMAC last season; UMAC Stats: 16.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 39.4 FG%. 84.8 FT% (1st), 6.4 apg (1st), 4.8 spg (1st)
Players to Watch - Wisconsin-Superior
- Emily Carpenter, Jr., G - UMAC Stats: 8.2 ppg, 5.4 apg, 3.4 ast/TO (1st)
- Hannah Norlin, Sr., F - All-UMAC last season; 2x D3Hoops Team of the Week, USBWA National Player of the Week; UMAC Stats: 15.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg (1st), 43.9 FG%, 81.8 FT%, 1.8 bpg, 1.6 spg
- Eva Reinertsen, Jr., F - UMAC Stats: 13.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 56.5 FG%, 2.0 apg
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2018-19 Game of the Week Archives