MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) - Freshman
Margie Stevens (Oneida, Wis.) recorded her first career double-double to lead top-seeded Wisconsin Lutheran College to a 48-42 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament Quarterfinal win over eighth-seeded Rockford on Wednesday at the Time of Grace Center.
The Warriors (21-4), who extended their winning streak to 16 games, overcame a season-high 17 turnovers against the Regents (11-15) to advance to Friday's NACC Tournament Semifinal game.
WLC opened the game on a 6-0 run for the early advantage with 6:55 remaining in the first quarter. RU quickly erased its deficit by scoring the next 11 points, its largest run of the game, giving them an 11-6 lead with 3:39 to play. Both teams traded baskets and a layup from senior
Sam Leisemann (Fall River, Wis.) as the quarter ended had Wisconsin Lutheran within two at 13-11 after the first period of action.
The Warriors opened the second quarter on a 13-4 run behind a pair of threes from senior
Meggie Scott (Yorkville, Ill.), giving WLC a 24-17 lead. Rockford finished the final four minutes on a 6-2 spurt and Wisconsin Lutheran held a 26-23 advantage at halftime.
Both teams struggled to score in the opening minutes of the third quarter, and WLC held onto a 30-25 lead with 5:42 remaining. The Regents tied it at 32-32 with 1:30 left in the quarter, but a layup from Leisemann seconds later regained the lead for Wisconsin Lutheran as the quarter ended with the hosts in front 34-32.
The Warriors and RU exchanged baskets to start the fourth, resulting in a 40-40 tie. Pairs of free throws from Stevens and junior
Mack Hogenson (Neenah, Wis.) gave WLC a 44-40 lead with 2:20 remaining. Rockford had multiple chances to tie it up down the stretch but a pair of free throws from Scott iced it for Wisconsin Lutheran and it advanced with a 48-42 win.
Stevens finished with game-highs of 12 points and 10 rebounds for her first career double-double. Leisemann finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, and junior
Kara Troxel (Bonduel, Wis.) had 10 points and five rebounds. Scott chipped in nine points and seven boards. The Warriors shot 29.8 percent (14-for-47) from the field.
The Regents were led by Nia Wilkerson's 10 points off the bench. RU shot 26.6 percent (17-for-64) from the field, but outscored WLC 26-0 in bench points.
Wisconsin Lutheran will face fifth-seeded Aurora (20-6) on Friday in a NACC Tournament Semifinal at the Time of Grace Center. The Warriors defeated the Spartans 65-56 in the lone matchup of the season on January 17. Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.
Â
