Warriors Cruise To Season-Opening Win Over Martin Luther

NEW ULM, Minn. (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College forced 20 turnovers and led for all but 0:14 seconds of its season-opening 78-49 non-conference win over Martin Luther on Friday at Luther Student Center Gymnasium. 

The Warriors (1-0) used an early 9-0 scoring run to build an 11-4 lead over the Knights (0-1) after a layup from senior Ryan Broeckel (Chilton, Wis.). WLC opened its first double-digit lead in the midst of a 7-0 scoring spurt following a pair of free throws from sophomore Noah Howard (Waukesha, Wis.) at the 12:25 mark. Senior Jacob Hefle (Germantown, Wis.) gave Wisconsin Lutheran its largest lead of the first half on a three-pointer with 0:39 seconds left for a 50-26 halftime cushion.

The Warriors' lead hovered between 20 and 26 points within the opening five minutes of the second half, before a 15-0 scoring run, the largest of the game, blew the contest wide open. Freshman Dom Hill (Waukesha, Wis.) netted nine points during the run, as WLC led 70-34 with 11:28 remaining.

Wisconsin Lutheran extended its advantage to a game-high 37 points with 6:10 left following a jumper from sophomore Ja'Quell Chisom (Milwaukee, Wis.). The Warriors went scoreless the rest of the way, as MLC netted the final eight points of the game.

Hill finished with a game-high 13 points off the bench to lead four players in double figures. Broeckel totaled 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds, senior Jacob Stoltz (Kewaskum, Wis.) finished with 11, while Hefle added 10 points. WLC, which shot 39.2 percent (29-for-74) from the floor, outscored Martin Luther 23-5 on turnovers and 17-7 in second chance points.

Wisconsin Lutheran wraps up its season-opening weekend in Minnesota tomorrow with a 2 p.m. matchup against Bethany Lutheran (1-0). Live coverage links will be available at WLCSports.com.