MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College made its return to the hardwood for the first time in nearly two weeks by securing a 54-44 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference win over St. Norbert on Wednesday at the Time of Grace Center.
The Warriors (7-4, 2-1 NACC) jumped out to a 6-2 first-quarter lead behind baskets from junior
Kara Troxel (Bonduel, Wis.) and seniors
Sam Leisemann (Fall River, Wis.) and
Meggie Scott (Yorkville, Ill.). The Green Knights (5-8, 2-2 NACC) scored the next seven points to grab a three-point lead, only to see WLC answer back with five straight of its own. A three-pointer to close out the opening quarter gave SNC a 15-13 advantage.
St. Norbert converted a three-point play to start the second quarter, extending its lead to 18-13, its largest of the game. A pair of threes from junior
Mack Hogenson (Neenah, Wis.) and a layup from Leisemann put Wisconsin Lutheran back in front 21-18 with just over six minutes remaining. Six consecutive points from the Green Knights erased a three-point deficit and they went into halftime holding a slim 26-25 lead over the Warriors.
Scott opened the second-half scoring with a three and her floating jumper at the 7:06 mark gave WLC a four-point lead. A three-point play from junior
Haley Ott (Germantown, Wis.) extended the lead to six at 35-29 and Wisconsin Lutheran carried a 35-33 lead into the final frame.
Three-pointers from junior
Ainsley Howard (Jefferson, Wis.) and Scott within the first three-and-a-half minutes of the fourth quarter gave the Warriors a 43-35 advantage. SNC closed to within one point at 45-44 following a 9-2 scoring run with just over three minutes remaining. WLC saved its biggest run of the game for the last three minutes, however, as Leisemann netted seven of the team's final nine points to secure the 10-point victory.
Leisemann recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds, both game highs. Scott finished with 14 points and six rebounds, while sophomore
Jayden Hill (Kenosha, Wis.) grabbed nine boards. Wisconsin Lutheran finished the contest shooting 36.7 percent (18-for-49).
Taylor Thiry was the lone player in double figures with 10 points for St. Norbert, which was held to 35.7 percent (15-for-42) shooting.Â
The Warriors remain home on Saturday for a 1 p.m. NACC matchup against MSOEÂ (9-3, 3-0 NACC). Live coverage links will be available at WLCSports.com.
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