FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – It had been 16 days since UW-Superior had played a game, but it was hard to tell as the Yellowjackets showed little rust in dispatching the Marian University women's basketball team, 71-55, inside Sadoff Gymnasium, this evening, Dec. 29.

The Yellowjackets (7-3) shot 47.1 percent (32-for-68) from the field, including 51.5 percent in the first half, and led by as many as 29 points en route to the win. The Sabres (7-3), despite having 8 days off, appeared to carry over their shooting struggles that have now led to three straight losses.

Sally Lenzmeier led the way for UWS, pouring in 22 points on 10-for-13 shooting, while adding 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals in just 25 minutes of action. Sarah Lekson added 11 points off the bench as just two Yellowjackets finished in double figures thanks to a balanced scoring effort.

Marian jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first 5 minutes thanks to a Nicole Paulus 3-pointer, followed by an Amelia Mirsberger layup, a Sarah Olewinski 3 and a Brandi Bender jumper. It was a hot start that soon fizzled out.

A 13-4 UWS run quickly gave it a 15-14 lead with 10:02 left in the first half. Both teams would trade baskets before the Yellowjackets finished the opening stanza with a 13-2 run for a 36-24 lead at the break. The Sabres managed just 32 percent shooting from the field, including 2-for-11 from 3.

The shooting woes spilled over into the second half as well. The Yellowjackets used a 14-4 run to start the second half before Olewinski finally buried a 3-pointer for the Sabres to make it 50-31 with 13:51 left.

However, UWS would just start another run, going on a 10-point spurt to match its largest lead of the game at 60-31.

Lenzmeier was a force for the Yellowjackets, contributing in all facets of the team's success. In just 10 second-half minutes, she added 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, while turning over an insurmountable advantage before sitting out the final 10 minutes of the game.

The Sabres cut into the deficit significantly down the stretch as they outplayed the UWS reserves. When it was all said and done, Olewinski finished with a team-high 12 points on 4-for-14 shooting, while Brandi Bender added 9 points in 15 minutes off the bench and Courtney Klister with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in 20 minutes off the bench.

Marian went just 3-for-24 from downtown on the night. The 3-ball had proved to be an area of strength throughout the midst of a 7-0 start to the season. The Sabres will have an opportunity to forget tonight's result quickly as they jump back in with a non-conference tilt against Northland College tomorrow, Dec. 30. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. inside Sadoff Gymnasium.