LISLE, Ill. – Benedictine University opened the game making its first eight shots from the field and the Lakeland University women's basketball team fell hard in an 82-46 loss Saturday afternoon on the road at Benedictine's Dan & Ada Rice Center.
The Muskies had a day to forget and continued to struggle on the road, dropping to 1-9 away from home this season. This time it was Benedictine avenging a loss to Lakeland back in December, with the Muskies falling to a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference foe they defeated by 13 points at home back in December.
Benedictine (10-9 overall, 6-4 NACC) never trailed and broke the game open early with a 16-2 run to close the first quarter and take a 27-10 lead after 10 minutes. The Eagles made their first eight shots from the field and hit 10 of 12 from the floor in all in the quarter (83.3%).
Benedictine would go on another 13-0 run in the second quarter, leading by as many as 28 and taking a 44-20 lead into halftime. The Eagles would continue to build the lead in the second half and were up by as much as 38 in the last minute.
The Muskies (9-10 overall, 6-4 NACC) shot just 25.0% (15 of 60), including just 1 of 9 from three-point range, while Benedictine finished shooting 55.8% (29 of 52). The Eagles also posted a 41-34 rebounding advantage, and even when able to establish an advantage Lakeland was unable to take advantage.
The Muskies committed 21 turnovers but forced 26, but Lakeland could rarely capitalize on the hosts' mistakes and the Eagles finished with a 26-14 advantage in points off turnovers. The Muskies also posted a 21-14 lead in offensive rebounds, but again Benedictine notched an 19-15 edge in second chance points.
Halle Boldt (
Sr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) scored 15 points and added five rebounds and a team-high four steals for Lakeland. Boldt was also the only Muskie close to double figures, with
Lauryn Johnson (
Jr.-Kenosha, Wis.) and
Ariana Vaitkeveciute (
Fr.-Merrionette Park, Ill.) next with six points each. Vaitkeviciute also added a team-best seven rebounds.
Alexis Schueler led Benedictine with 20 points, one of four to score in double figures for the hosts. Makenzie Carroll added 16 points and five steals.
Lakeland is home for its next game when it takes on Concordia University Wisconsin Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.
