PLYMOUTH, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point came out of the gates with a big first quarter and the Lakeland University women's basketball team was defeated 78-48 in its season opener Wednesday night at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium.
The visiting Pointers outscored the Muskies 20-3 in the first quarter and were in control the rest of the way. The non-conference battle was Lakeland's debut but the third game of the season for UW-Stevens Point, which improved to 3-0.
UWSP led literally from start to finish, scoring a point before the opening jump ball after an administrative technical against Lakeland. The teams traded three-pointers early including a triple by
Sadie Grabow (
Jr.-Bourbonnais, Ill.), but the Pointers went on a 21-0 run over an eight-minute span to open up a 25-3 lead early in the second period.
The Muskies finally found their footing offensively in the second quarter, scoring 17 points over the final 7 minutes, 29 seconds.
Sydney Nimsakont (
Jr.-Glendale Heights, Ill.) scored 10 points in the quarter including hitting 7 of 8 free throws, and Lakeland trailed 43-20 at halftime.
The Pointers never let Lakeland get any closer in the second half, though, and led 67-34 after three quarters and by as much as 36 in the fourth quarter.
Ariana Vaitkeviciute (
Jr.-Merrionette Park, Ill.) was a bright spot in the second half and specifically the fourth quarter, scoring nine of her 11 points.
The Muskies shot 32.6%, making 14 of 43 shots from the field. Nimsakont led Lakeland with 13 points and six points, and Vaitkeviciute added 11 points making 4 of 5 from the field and all three of her free throw attempts.
Sonia Pagan (
Jr.-Hales Corners, Wis.) also added six points including a pair of three-pointers.
UW-Stevens Point shot 50.8% for the game, making 31 of 61 shots. Karissa Smith led the Pointers with 20 points and was one of four scoring in double figures for the visitors.
Lakeland is back in action Friday night when it hosts Martin Luther (Minn.) College at 6 p.m. at the Woltzen Gym.
