Wisconsin Lutheran Clinches Share Of NACC Title

MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) - For the third time in four seasons, Wisconsin Lutheran College claimed at least a share of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference regular season championship following a 90-71 road win over Milwaukee School of Engineering on Saturday at Hotchkin Arena.

The Warriors (18-7, 14-3 NACC), who clinched the No. 1 seed and a first round bye in the NACC Tournament, swept the season series from the Raiders (10-14, 6-11 NACC) to win their eighth straight road contest. 

WLC used a 5-0 spurt to overcome four early lead changes for a 16-9 advantage at the 13:24 mark of the first half. Leading 21-18, Wisconsin Lutheran scored seven unanswered to take its first double-digit lead with 9:21 remaining following a layup by freshman Noah Howard (Waukesha, Wis.).

Junior Ryan Broeckel's (Chilton, Wis.) steal and slam gave the Warriors their largest first-half lead of 11 points at 36-25 with 5:05 left. A 9-0 run from MSOE put the hosts in front for a short time, before junior Grayson Goetz (Aurora, Ill.) knocked down a pair of free throws in the closing seconds for a 40-39 halftime lead. Broeckel poured in 17 of his 25 points in the first half for WLC, which shot 39 percent compared to 57.7 percent for Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Wisconsin Lutheran scored the first seven points out of halftime for a 47-39 advantage. The Raiders, who came within five points early in the half, trailed 62-54 with 11:44 remaining. The Warriors responded with an 8-0 scoring run, their largest of the second stanza, to lead by 16 points after a pair of Goetz free throws with 9:09 left. 

WLC's lead hovered between 11 and 15 points over the next six minutes, before Wisconsin Lutheran closed the game with an 8-0 run to build its largest lead as time expired. The Warriors heated up in the second half, shooting 54.5 percent compared to MSOE's 40.0 percent.

Broeckel finished with game highs of 25 points and 11 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season. He also chipped in with four assists, three steals, and two blocks. Juniors Jacob Stoltz (Kewaskum, Wis.) and Jacob Hefle (Germantown, Wis.), along with senior Trevor Stiede (Pulaski, Wis.) added 16, 14, and 11 points, respectively.

WLC shot 45.9 percent (34-for-74) for the game and made at least 10 three-pointers for the 14th time this season. Wisconsin Lutheran outscored Milwaukee School of Engineering 19-8 off turnovers and 13-4 in second chance points.

Donovan Carter scored 15 points to lead three players in double figures for the Raiders, who finished the game shooting 48.2 percent (27-for-56).

The top-seeded Warriors receive a first round bye in the NACC Tournament and will host a tournament semifinal game on Friday, February 24 at 7 p.m. Live coverage links will be available at WLCSports.com.