ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Edgewood College Women's Basketball team used a strong fourth-quarter effort to force overtime in Friday's season-opening contest at the University of Northwestern, but ultimately fell by a 79-75 final. Trailing by 12 points heading into the fourth quarter, Edgewood College outscored Northwestern 25-13 in the final 10 minutes to force the extra session in the battle of the Eagles.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Edgewood College (0-1) showed its no quit mentality in this one with the impressive comeback. They went on a 25-8 run over the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter, but unfortunately Northwestern (4-1) scored the final five points in regulation to force the extra session. Edgewood College did have the final chance in regulation but a 3-point shot just missed.
- Both
Alyssa Lemirande and
Bria Lemirande posted double-doubles in the opener with Alyssa leading the offensive attack with 29 points on 14-of-22 shooting. Bria scored 16 points, making 2-of-4 from 3-point range, while adding 12 rebounds. Alyssa had 11 rebounds, while
Lexi Walter led all players with 15 boards as Edgewood College finished with a 47-39 advantage on the glass. Walter also led all players with three blocks.
- As can be expected given the circumstances of this year and playing their first game compared to Northwestern's fourth, Edgewood College came out slow on Friday. Northwestern built a 23-9 lead after one quarter and took a 12-point lead (36-24) into halftime.
- Still, despite not having their best shooting effort, the Eagles used their depth and transition game to get back into it in the fourth quarter. Edgewood College had 25 fast break points in the game compared to just 14 for Northwestern. Edgewood College used 13 players in this one as their depth and ability to push the tempo will present plenty of problems for opponents going forward.
- A big reason for the halftime deficit was 13 turnovers in the opening half for Edgewood College, nine of those in the first 10 minutes. As good teams do, Edgewood College improved on that in the second half and turned the ball over just two times the remainder of the game.
- Northwestern was able to escape with the home win thanks in large part to its performance at the free throw line. Northwestern shot 19-of-24 from the foul line (79.2 percent), while Edgewood College made just 47.4 percent (9-of-19). Northwestern also shot it better from 3-point range, making 6-of-16 (37.5 percent) compared to a 4-for-21 performance (19 percent) for Edgewood College. Edgewood College did make 3-of-8 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter and shot better from the floor (40.3 percent to 37.5 percent) in the game.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Edgewood College was the first NACC school to play a basketball game this season.
- Edgewood College was trying to win its fourth-straight season opener under Head Coach
Chaia Huff. The Eagles are now 3-2 in season openers under Huff.
UP NEXT
- Edgewood College is set to play at Wartburg on January 3 at 1 p.m.
