Staunch Defense Delivers WLC First NACC Win

MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College never trailed and held Edgewood to just 34 points in a 60-34 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference win over the Eagles on Saturday at the Time of Grace Center.

The Warriors (3-3, 1-1 NACC), who held the Eagles (1-6, 0-2 NACC) to single-digit points in the first three quarters, jumped out to a 7-2 first-quarter lead on a layup from junior Sam Leisemann (Fall River, Wis.). WLC scored the final four points of the opening stanza on two free throws from freshman Jayden Hill (Kenosha, Wis.) and a jumper from junior Meggie Scott (Yorkville, Ill.) to take its first double-digit lead at 17-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Wisconsin Lutheran scored the first five points of the second quarter on a three from sophomore Mack Hogenson (Neenah, Wis.) and a jumper from Leisemann for a 15-point lead. The Warriors built a first-half high 18-point advantage at 29-11 following a three-pointer from sophomore Lexy Smit (Brandon, Wis.). WLC carried a 17-point lead into halftime at 32-15 after a triple from Scott.

EC came within 15 points at 35-20 at the 6:43 mark of the third quarter, but Wisconsin Lutheran held Edgewood scoreless for the final 4:52 and closed the quarter on a 10-0 run. Senior Ally Gough (Horicon, Wis.) buried a three before the buzzer to give the Warriors a 49-22 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

WLC scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter to extend its scoring run to 18 points. Wisconsin Lutheran led by a game-high 35 points with 7:15 remaining in the game after a layup by freshman Paige Werner (Neenah, Wis.). The Eagles edged the Warriors 12-11 in the final frame for the final 26-point margin.

Hill led all scorers with a game- and season-high 14 points. She also added four steals and four rebounds. Leisemann added her first double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds. WLC shot 37.1 percent from the floor for the game, but out-scored EC 21-7 in points off turnovers and 30-20 in the paint.

Paige Banks scored 12 points for Edgewood, which was held to 25.5 percent shooting in the game.

Wisconsin Lutheran travels to Lisle, Illinois on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. NACC matchup against Benedictine (2-4, 2-0 NACC). Live coverage links will be available for the game at WLCSports.com.