Big Second Half Lifts Green Knights Back to NCAA Tournament

From Sports Information Director, February 28, 2015 | Women's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

DE PERE - St. Norbert College pumped in 45 second-half points to break open a close game en route to a 72-51 win over Cornell College in the championship game of the Midwest Conference Tournament on Connie Tilley Court at Schuldes Sports Center.

The Green Knights (22-3) clinched an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament, their 12th appearance. Cornell ended its season 15-10.

St. Norbert held a 27-26 halftime lead before the second half started out a breakneck pace. Both teams traded 3-pointers on their first two possessions of the second half. Brianna Byrne and Rachel Hagge canned 3-pointers for St. Norbert, while Rikki Mulloy and Kellie Kuzmanic buried triples for Cornell.

The Green Knights led 37-34 with 17:22 to go before embarking on a 14-2 run to take control. St. Norbert led 44-36 with 13:56 to go before Hagge finished the run with 3-pointers on consecutive possession for a 50-36 advantage with 12:15 to go.

Following a Cornell basket, Hagge started another run to seal the outcome. Her jumper started an 11-2 run that concluded with a 63-43 St. Norbert lead with 5:35 to go, the final points also coming on a Hagge hoop.

Hagge led St. Norbert with 17 points, while Stephanie Weigman added 12 points. Brianna Byrne finished with 11 points and Jill Kleiman 10 points. The Green Knights shot 41 percent (25-for-61) for the game and committed just three turnovers.

Taylor Dicus led Cornell with 19 points, while Maggie Hogen added 10 points for the Rams. Cornell shot 38.9 percent (21-for-54) for the game.