MANITOWOC, WI – The Bay Norse (11-10) would pull away in the second half on Wednesday night, taking down the UW Manitowoc Blue Devils (1-6) by a final score of 54-36.
The Norse looked to get off to a hot start, connecting on four of their eight field goal attempts in the first three minutes of the game, allowing them to jump out to an 8-0 lead. They would struggle from there, allowing the Blue Devils to regain their composure and get back into the game, as Bay would not hit a shot from the field for the rest of the first quarter. Two free throws would get them to double digits, and the game would be tied at ten after the first quarter.
The second quarter would start with another outburst from the Norse, this time a 9-0 run would hold up. Bay would outrebound the home team ten to five in the quarter, limiting the Manitowoc opportunities. The Norse would take an eight-point lead into the locker room at the half.
The third quarter marked another cold spell for Bay. They would hit on just four of 15 attempts, including missing on all five shots from behind the three-point arc. However, the Blue Devils struggled to get much going against a stingy Norse defense. They would turn the ball over five times in the quarter, and hit on just 18.8% of their shots.
Bay would continue to pressure their hosts, and improve their shooting to build a lead. Bay would shoot 46.7% in the final period, while the Blue Devils would go just three of nine during that time frame. The Norse would put the game away by starting the fourth quarter on a 12-4 run, sealing the 18-point victory.
Jordan Kraemer (FR, Norway, MI) would score 17 in the first half, and end the game with 24 points and 17 rebounds. Paige Welch (FR, Bark River, MI) added ten points and four rebounds.
The Blue Devils' Alissa Schramm (FR, Manitowoc, WI) led their effort off the bench with 11 points and six rebounds.
The Norse will travel to Marinette on Wednesday, February 7th to take on the UW-Marinette Buccaneers. That game is scheduled for 6 pm.