Wisconsin Lutheran Clamps Down UW-Eau Claire, 62-52

MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) - Senior Sam Leisemann (Fall River, Wis.) posted her fifth double-double of the season and Wisconsin Lutheran College clamped down UW-Eau Claire 62-52 on Saturday in non-conference action at the Time of Grace Center.

The Warriors (5-3), who earned their first-ever win over the Blugolds (3-4) in four all-time meetings, made 11 of their 24 three-point attempts in the near wire-to-wire win.

UWEC erased an early 4-0 first quarter WLC lead with five consecutive points, but it marked the last of the opening-period scoring for the visitors. Wisconsin Lutheran, which shut out Eau Claire 10-0 over the final 4:54, was sparked by a pair of three-pointers from senior Meggie Scott (Yorkville, Ill.). The Warriors carried a 14-5 lead into the second quarter after holding the Blugolds to just 2-for-17 shooting in the quarter.

The first seven points of the second period came from UWEC as it came within two points less than two minutes in. A quick 8-0 run from WLC boosted the lead back to 10 points at 22-12, forcing an Eau Claire timeout. Leading 26-18, junior Ainsley Howard (Jefferson, Wis.) keyed an 8-0 scoring run with back-to-back triples to open up a game-high 16-point lead with 1:37 left before halftime. Wisconsin Lutheran went into intermission with a 34-22 lead. as 13 of its 20 second-quarter points came from the bench.

The Warriors withstood a 7-0 Blugolds run to start the second half with a three from junior Mack Hogenson (Neenah, Wis.) for a 37-27 lead at the 6:35 mark. Despite just six points and two made field goals in the quarter, WLC managed to hold onto a 40-33 advantage heading into the final frame.

UWEC climbed within three in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter, but Wisconsin Lutheran saved its best for last. Junior Kara Troxel (Bonduel, Wis.) immediately responded with a three and Leisemann netted the team's next five points for a 53-43 lead with 3:59 remaining. Hogenson countered a pair of Eau Claire free throws with a three to give the Warriors an 11-point lead with 2:36 left. That lead never dropped below eight, as WLC shot 54.5 percent in the final quarter to clinch the victory.

Leisemann led the way for Wisconsin Lutheran with 13 points and 11 rebounds for her third straight double-double and fifth of the season. Scott also chipped in with 13 points, while Hogenson added a season-high nine points. The Warriors shot 40.4 percent (21-for-52) from the floor, including 45.8 percent (11-for-24) from beyond the arc. WLC forced 17 turnovers and converted them into 18 points. 

Olivia Pekron (14 points, 12 rebounds) and Kylie Mogen (12 points, 14 rebounds) each posted double-doubles for the Blugolds, who were held to 29.5 percent (18-for-61) shooting. 

Wisconsin Lutheran travels to Daytona Beach, Florida for the Daytona Beach Shootout on December 20. The Warriors open play in the Sunshine State against Bates (8-1) at 2 p.m. CST. Live coverage links will be available at WLCSports.com.