PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Battling through offensive struggles, the Lakeland University women's basketball team found a way to get the job done and defeat Dominican University 51-38 Saturday afternoon at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.
The Muskies made just 18 of 69 shots from the field (26.1%) but also limited the Stars to below 30% shooting and did the little things in other areas to win for the second time this season. Lakeland improved to 2-6 overall and also has its first Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference win, moving to 1-1 in conference.
Scoring was a challenge all game for both teams, but the Muskies outrebounded Dominican (0-7 overall, 0-2 NACC) 57-43, including a 16-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Lakeland also made 14 of 20 free throws and committed just 10 turnovers, its second-lowest total of the season.
It took time to shake the Stars, who led only briefly early after hitting a three-pointer to open the game but tied the score on four occasions, the last time at 17-17 with 6 minutes, 57 seconds left in the second quarter. The Muskies held Dominican without a field goal the rest of the half and Lakeland closed the half outscoring the guests 9-1 to take a 26-18 halftime lead.
The Muskies began to pull away late in the third quarter, scoring on four consecutive trips down the court to take their largest lead.
Brianna Jones (
Sr.-Indianapolis, Ind.) drained a long jumper,
Mackenzie Miller (
Fr.-Schoolcraft, Mich.) hit a jumper and scored inside, and
Jenna Caterino (
So.-Stanton, Mich.) sunk two free throws for a 42-25 lead.
The margin was 15 after three quarters and early in the fourth, but Dominican drew within 46-36 after a three-pointer by Mackenzie Coleman with 3:01 to play and was down 47-38 after a short jumper by Kameron Goodman with 1:22 left. The Stars would not score again, though, and
Sydney Walker (
Jr.-Flint, Mich.) made a layup and Miller hit two free throws to close it out.
Miller finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds off the bench to lead Lakeland. Jones scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds and
Ellie Felsinger (
Sr.-Cedar Grove, Wis.) added 10 points. Caterino also scored seven in her first collegiate start and Walker added six points plus nine rebounds.
Lakeland held Dominican to 29.1% shooting (16 of 55) and the Stars also made just 3 of 16 free throw attempts. Goodman paced Dominican with game highs of 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Muskies take to the road for their next game Wednesday at Alverno College at 7 p.m. in Milwaukee.
