Warriors Shoot Past Scarlet Hawks For Fifth Straight Home Win

MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) – The Wisconsin Lutheran College women's basketball team scored a season-high 89 points on 17 three-point makes en route to an 89-35 conference win over Illinois Tech on Thursday night inside the Recreation Complex. The Warriors shot a season-best 50.0 percent from beyond the arc for the second time this season in the 54-point victory.

• Final Score: Wisconsin Lutheran 89, Illinois Tech 35
• Records: Wisconsin Lutheran (16-6, 14-4 NACC), Illinois Tech (0-22, 0-17 NACC)
• Location: Recreation Complex, Milwaukee, Wis.

• Wisconsin Lutheran opened the game with a 15-0 run, spanning the first 4:18 of the first quarter. Senior Kelly Tramburg (Fall River, Wis.) scored the final eight points of the run as the Warriors connected on three early threes.
• After a pair of free throws from the Scarlet Hawks, WLC knocked down four more three-pointers to quickly extend its lead to 27-2. Late in the quarter, an eighth three and a pair of makes by sophomore Jenna Mace (Wisconsin Dells, Wis.) gave Wisconsin Lutheran a 34-5 advantage after one quarter.
• A couple more threes early in the second quarter pushed the lead up to 33 points at 40-7. Midway through the second, senior Tierney Woodward (Poynette, Wis.) and Mace each hit a three to extend the lead up to 39.
• Late in the first half, sophomore Kalies Birkholz (Watertown, Wis.) hit a three and freshman Julia Holtz (Lowell, Wis.) made a layup with 0:09 seconds remaining as the hosts held a 53-11 lead at the break.
• The Warriors used a trio of three-point makes in the first five minutes of the third quarter to push the lead up to 50 at 64-14. Illinois Tech closed the quarter on a 12-6 run, and WLC took a 70-26 lead into the final period.
• Wisconsin Lutheran opened the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run, and traded buckets with IIT for the remainder of the game to close out an 89-35 victory.

• Birkholz led all scorers with a career-high 20 points, including five makes from beyond the arc. Sophomore Ally Gough (Horicon, Wis.) added 15 points on five threes, and Mace rounded out the Warriors in double figures with 10 points.
• Wisconsin Lutheran shot 46.6 percent (34-of-73) from the floor and 50.0 percent (17-of-34) from beyond the arc. The 17 makes from deep was a new season-high for WLC.
• Gough, sophomore Maria Murray (Middleton, Wis.), and freshman Amanda Klasinski (Stevens Point, Wis.) each finished with a team-best six rebounds, while sophomore Morgan Tramburg (Fall River, Wis.) had a team-high four assists.
• The Warriors defense forced 22 turnovers, and out-scored the visitors 29-1 in points off turnovers.

• Shannon O'Donnell led the way for the Scarlet Hawks with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals as Illinois Tech shot 25.6 percent (11-of-43) from the floor. The visitors failed to connect on their five attempts from three and shot 76.5 percent (13-of-17) from the line.

• The Warriors close out their regular season home slate on Saturday when they host Maranatha Baptist (14-2) for Senior Day. Tip-off for the non-conference contest is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and live stats and video will be available at WLCSports.com.