MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Lakeland University women's basketball team continued to bring out the best in Wisconsin Lutheran College, dropping a 76-49 decision Wednesday night on the road in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.
The Warriors came alive against the Muskies for one of their best offensive performances of the season for the second straight year, including a huge first half to take control early. Annually one of the NACC's top teams, WLC improved to 11-7 overall and 8-1 in conference, while Lakeland dropped back to 9-9 overall and 6-3 in conference.
Wisconsin Lutheran entered the game averaging 61.6 points per game on the season but exploded for 50 points in the first half for the second straight year against the Muskies. The Warriors also played well above their season shooting average for much of the game, shooting 51.4% in the first half (18 of 35) and sitting near 50% for the first three quarters before both teams substituted freely in the final period.
Lakeland led twice briefly in the opening minutes, but Lutheran used an 11-2 run to take a 22-13 lead by the end of the first quarter. WLC then blew the game open with a 15-2 run in the middle of the second quarter, making six straight shots in the stretch and going ahead 42-20 on a three-pointer by Janiyah Goner with 3 minutes, 7 seconds left in the first half.
Wisconsin Lutheran would end up outscoring the Muskies 28-12 in the second quarter and took a 50-25 lead into halftime after Margie Stevens hit a three-pointer just before the buzzer. Lakeland would only get as close as 52-30 early in the second half after a three-pointer by
Jenna Caterino (
Sr.-Stanton, Mich.), and the Warriors would lead by as many as 35 points early in the fourth quarter.
Jenna Shea (
So.-Appleton, Wis.) was a bright spot for the Muskies, tying a season high with 11 points including three three-pointers.
Halle Boldt (
Sr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) also scored seven points and added seven rebounds and Caterino and
Ariana Vaitkeviciute (
Fr.-Merrionette Park, Ill.) added six points each.
Lakeland shot 32.8%, making 19 of 58 shots including 5 of 16 from three-point range (31.3%). The Muskies also committed 20 turnovers and could only force the Warriors into 13 turnovers, the fewest by a Lakeland opponent this season.
Jayden Hill scored 18 points to lead four scoring in double figures for Wisconsin Lutheran, which finished shooting 43.9% (29 of 66), still well above its season average of 36.5% coming in. The Warriors also finished with a 45-35 rebounding advantage.
The Muskies are on the road again Saturday when they travel to face Benedictine University at 3 p.m. in Lisle, Ill.
