DECORAH, Iowa - At home for the first time in 2023 the Luther women's basketball fell in a heartbreaking loss to the University of Northwestern 68-66. The game was tight throughout the contest from start to finish. Three Norse players were in double-digit point totals including Jordan Rubie, Kailey Jones and Chelin Isaacson. 

The Norse had a strong first quarter shooting 62 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc. Rubie notched in eight of the first ten points to start the game. The Eagles grabbed their first lead of the day at 13-10. Isaacson would close out the half with a layup and go to the line for the and-one to make it a three point play. Luther reclaimed the lead at 24-22 at the quarter break.

Then in the second quarter, the Eagles pushed their lead to five points with under a minute to play. Layups by Kenlin Schmitt and Rubie brought the Norse within one at 37-38 as they headed into the locker room. 

Coming out of the break Northwestern outscored Luther 18-11 in the third quarter. The Eagles had their largest lead of the game at 56-48. 

In the final quarter of play, the Norse rallied on two turnovers by the Eagles two three-pointers with one from Haylie Strum and Isaacson. And just like that the Luther was down 64-63 with 41 seconds left in the contest. On their next possession Northwestern went up by three again. Then Strum answered back with a three-pointer that tied the game at 66 with 15 seconds to go. However, the Eagles knocked in two free throws to secure the victory. 

TOP NORSE

• Rubie led the team with 13 points and five assists.
• Isaacson recorded her third straight double-digit game with 10 points and two steals.
• Jones posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. It is her first double-double of the season. 
• Strum and Amelia Solum tallied 9 points each. 

UP NEXT
Luther faces their first American Rivers Conference opponent in rival Wartburg College on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 5:30 p.m. in Waverly, Iowa.