St. Norbert Locks Up UW-La Crosse, Wins Tip-Off Tournament For Third Straight Time

From Sports Information Director, November 21, 2009 | Women's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

DE PERE - A stellar defensive effort by St. Norbert College led the Green Knights to a 54-35 win over UW-La Crosse in the championship game of the St. Norbert Tip-Off Tournament at Schuldes Sports Center.

The Green Knights held the Eagles to 26.5 percent (13-for-49) shooting from the floor, and forced the visitors into 25 turnovers.

UW-La Crosse (2-1) tied the game at 11-11 with 10:32 left in the first half on a Taylor Larson 3-pointer. St. Norbert would go on an 18-4 run to close out the half to lead 29-15 at intermission. The Green Knights got the run started with an 8-0 run over a four-minute stretch, getting baskets by Jamie Kuhl, Rachel Hermus, Krista Pelky and Stefanie Bunday.

In the second half, La Crosse would get to within 33-22 with 16:14 left, but would get no closer than 12 points the rest of the way. La Crosse cut the deficit to 40-27 with 7:31 left, but Denise Heuser's 3-pointer from the corner stemmed any chance of an Eagles comeback.

Heuser was named the tournament's most valuable player for the second consecutive year. Kuhl and Kristin Zimmerman joined Heuser as St. Norbert's representation on the all-tournament team. UW-La Crosse's Stacie Van Handel and Dana Churchill and Aurora's Becky Gifford also were selected.

St. Norbert shot 39 percent from the floor for the game, making 23 of 59 field goals. Heuser led all scorers with 17 points, while Kuhl and Krista Pelky had 10 points apiece. Zimmerman added seven points, six rebounds and three steals in 18 minutes off the bench.

Larson was the only player to score in double figures for La Crosse with 10 points.