The UW-Superior women’s basketball team overcame a 35-29 halftime deficit, holding visiting North Central to just 16 points in the second half, for a 63-51 victory at Mertz Mortorelli Gym on Saturday, Feb. 8.
Senior Marissa Ruiz (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley) scored a career-high 22 points and classmate Eva Reinertsen (Duluth, Minn./Homeschooled) added 19 as the Yellowjackets secured a place in the upcoming Upper Midwest Athletic Conference tournament with the victory. Ruiz scored 17 in the second half as the ‘Jackets picked up their play in the final 20 minutes, shooting 42 percent after halftime. Superior also held a 41-34 rebounding edge for the game.
The ‘Jackets led, 21-13, after the first quarter, but were stifled by the Rams in the second, being held to just eight points. The teams traded baskets until Ruiz scored seven straight points – including a 3-pointer – to give Superior a 53-47 lead with five minutes play. Following an Emily DiGiorgio layup, Ruiz drained another three and layup, pushing the lead to 60-49. Ruiz added a final basket two possessions later.
UWS is now 14-7 overall and 10-2 in the league, dropping North Central to 9-13 and 5-7.
UWS is back in action Wednesday, Feb. 12 at St. Scholastica at 7:15 p.m.
