Leisemann's Last-Second Layup Lifts Warriors Into Semifinals

MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) – Sophomore Sam Leisemann (Fall River, Wis.) scored the go-ahead layup with :07 seconds left to lift the top-seeded Wisconsin Lutheran College women's basketball team to a 52-51 win over eighth-seeded Lakeland on Wednesday night in a NACC Tournament Quarterfinal game inside the Recreation Complex. The Warriors advance to Friday's NACC Tournament Semifinal where they will host fourth-seeded Edgewood.

• Final Score: No. 1 Wisconsin Lutheran 52, No. 8 Lakeland 51
• Records: Wisconsin Lutheran (21-1), Lakeland (13-13)
• Location: Recreation Complex, Milwaukee, Wis.

• Leisemann got the Warriors going with two quick baskets early in the first quarter. With two minutes left in the opening quarter, senior Kalies Birkholz (Watertown, Wis.) scored six straight points. Capping off an impressive first quarter, senior Ally Gough (Horicon, Wis) pulled off a crafty reverse layup as time expired, contributing to Wisconsin Lutheran's 17-1 scoring run and giving the hosts a 25-10 lead heading into the second quarter.  
• The Green and White converted just one field goal in the first five minutes of the second quarter. The drought was stopped by senior Jenna Mace (Wisconsin Dells, Wis.) as she completed a driving layup with 4:30 left before halftime. Sophomores Nicole Jongebloed (Horicon, Wis.) and Meggie Scott (Yorkville, Ill) both hit jumpers under the final two minutes, giving the Warriors a 33-17 lead at halftime.
• WLC built a game-high 18-point lead three separate times within the first three minutes of the third quarter. The Muskies chipped away and took advantage of cold shooting to close within 11 points after the third period. Wisconsin Lutheran went into the final quarter in front 42-31 after being held to 19 percent (4-for-21) from the floor.
• LU netted the first six points of the fourth quarter and used a 13-2 run in total to tie the contest at 44-44 with 4:40 remaining. A three from Mace gave the Green and White a 47-44 lead at the 3:14 mark and the hosts led by four points at 50-46 with just 0:52 ticks left following a Birkholz free throw. Lakeland netted the next five points, including a three-pointer with 0:12 seconds left to take a one-point lead at 51-50. The Warriors called timeout, advanced the ball, and went right to Leisemann who finished a layup with seven seconds left to put WLC right back in front. A last-chance shot from the right wing for Lakeland did not connect.
• Leisemann finished with 16 points 11 rebounds, and four blocks, while Mace totaled 10 points and 10 rebounds for a pair of double-doubles.
• Birkholz chipped in with nine points, while sophomore Kaitlyn Shadoski (Janesville, Wis.) tallied seven points and six boards.
• Wisconsin Lutheran concluded the game shooting just 30 percent (21-for-70) and 2-for-20 from three.
• The Green and White outrebounded the Muskies 50-42, as Jongebloed corralled nine rebounds off the bench.

• The top-seeded Warriors move on to host fourth-seeded Edgewood (13-12) on Friday in a NACC Tournament Semifinal game at 7 p.m. The Eagles defeated fifth-seeded Aurora 70-62 on Wednesday night in Madison. Live coverage links will be available for the game at WLCSports.com. 

WBB: No. 12/20 @WLC_WBB 52, Lakeland 51

⚔️ @sam_leisemann scores team-high 16 points, including go-ahead bucket with :07 seconds left.

⚔️ Leisemann and Jenna Mace record double-doubles.

⚔️ Warriors host Edgewood on Friday in NACC Semifinal.#WeAreWarriors #NACCtion #d3hoops pic.twitter.com/1G5twemWQm

— WLC Warriors (@WLCSports) February 24, 2022

WHAT A FINISH! @sam_leisemann hits the game winner with 7 seconds left to send us to the NACC Tournament Semifinals. With the win tonight, we will host the #4 seed Edgewood this Friday at 7:00 pm. See everyone on Friday! #WeAreWarriors��⚔️ pic.twitter.com/xkEw8Qxv7u

— WLC W. Basketball (@WLC_WBB) February 24, 2022

You are looking live… Previewing tonight's #NACCtion for ⁦@WLC_WBB⁩ (home at 7 pm) and ⁦@WLC_MBB⁩ (road approx 8:30 pm) with ⁦@AdamHeinzen⁩ of ⁦@WLCSports⁩ ! #checkinwiththeupdatedesk #roamingcorrespondant #WeAreWarriors pic.twitter.com/XV7gZASpLF

— Wayne Shevey (@RevShevWLC) February 23, 2022

WBB: No. 12/20 @WLC_WBB opens NACC Tournamsnt play tonight when it hosts Lakeland in a quarterfinal matchup.

��: Lakeland
��: Feb. 23, 2022
��: Time of Grace Center
⏰: 7 p.m.
��: https://t.co/X5XDylDFNI
��: https://t.co/ksgdrpforJ
��: https://t.co/L7EfgzyH5M#NACCtion #d3hoops pic.twitter.com/BJUVTRjfol

— WLC Warriors (@WLCSports) February 23, 2022

Warrior basketball fans... ARE WE READY? We welcome the #8 seed Lakeland to the TOGC tonight for the NACC Tournament Quarterfinal game. Come out, be loud and cheer on your Warriors!
��GAMEDAY��
��: Lakeland
��️: Wednesday, February 23rd
⏰: 7:00 PM
��: WLC #WeAreWarriors��⚔️ pic.twitter.com/XYxdOFUkol

— WLC W. Basketball (@WLC_WBB) February 23, 2022