Box Score
Box score
MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Lutheran College
women's basketball team opened its 2011-2012 season with a 57-43
win over Bethel (Minn.) Friday night at the Recreation Complex in
the opening round of the Dunn's Sporting Goods Tip-Off
Tournament.
The Warriors came out of the gates fast as they opened up with a
13-4 lead just 5:01 into play. Freshman Kristen Schulz (Safford,
Ariz./Arizona Lutheran) scored six points during the opening run,
while junior Alyssa Allister (Lake Mills, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran)
chipped in with five points.
Wisconsin Lutheran continued to maintain its lead, however the
Royals (0-1) made a late first-half run as they closed out the half
with a 13-5 run to make the score 26-24 at the break.
Schulz had eight first-half points to lead the forest green and
white as the Warriors shot 47.8 percent (11-of-23) from the floor
in the opening half. Alicia Montbriand and Taylor Sheley each had
seven points to pace the Royals in the first 20 minutes as Bethel
shot 34.8 percent (8-of-23) in the first half.
Just like in the first half, WLC started off strong after the
break and began the half on a 12-0 run led by six more points from
Schulz and four points from freshman Katelyn Kuehl (Fond du Lac,
Wis./Winnebago Lutheran). The 14-point lead at the 16:35 mark of
the second half and the 14-point margin of victory were the largest
leads of the game for Wisconsin Lutheran.
Bethel cut the Warriors lead to six points at 46-40 with 9:34 on
the clock when Leslie Handzus made a three-point jump shot, but
Wisconsin Lutheran responded with the next seven points, including
four by senior Rachel Johnson (Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran)
to go in front by 13 points with 5:57 remaining in the game.
The Royals would get no closer than 11 the rest of the way as
Wisconsin Lutheran cruised to the victory.
Schulz led WLC with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting while also
pulling down six rebounds in her first collegiate game. Johnson
grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, while also adding nine points in
the victory. Wisconsin Lutheran out-rebounded Bethel, 35-31,
including pulling down 14 offensive boards, five each from Johnson
and Kuehl.
The Royals were led by Sheley, who finished with 12 points.
Kelly Swenson added a team-high six rebounds.
The Warriors defense was solid all night as they forced 24
turnovers, while holding Bethel to just 32.4 percent (15-of-46)
shooting for the game. On the flip side, Wisconsin Lutheran turned
it over 18 times and shot 42.1 percent (24-of-57) from the
floor.
Wisconsin Lutheran (1-0) faces Carthage (2-0) in the
championship game of the Dunn's Sporting Goods Tip-Off Tournament
Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Recreation Complex. Carthage
advanced by defeating Nebraska Wesleyan, 71-45, in the tournament's
other first round game.
