MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WLCSports.com) — Wisconsin Lutheran College opened Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play in dominant fashion on Tuesday at Time of Grace Center, cruising past Marian 90–29 behind a stifling defensive effort and balanced scoring throughout the lineup.
The Warriors (4-0, 1-0 NACC) seized control from the outset, starting the game on a 14–0 run fueled by paint finishes from sophomore
Abby Cole (Fond du Lac, Wis.) and junior
Margie Stevens (Oneida, Wis.), who scored eight points apiece in the opening quarter. WLC outscored the Sabres 12-2 in the paint and carried a 19–7 lead into the second period.
The advantage widened even further before halftime, as a 17–0 surge highlighted a 24–4 second quarter in which MU made just one field goal. By the break, Wisconsin Lutheran, which shot 56.3 percent in period, led 43–11 and had full command of the contest.
The Warriors' depth continued to stretch the margin in the third quarter, as seven different players found the scoring column to pace a 23-point frame that pushed the lead to 66–23 entering the fourth.
Fourth-quarter scoring contributions from six different players, including seven points from freshman
Madeline Maloney (Oconto Falls, Wis.), helped WLC finish the game with a 24–6 fourth-quarter scoring advantage after shooting 56.3 percent from the floor to cement the 61-point victory.
Cole led all scorers with 21 points on 7-for-9 shooting and added 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Stevens delivered 18 points and eight boards. Senior
Jayden Hill (Kenosha, Wis.) added eight points, seven steals, five rebounds, and four assists. Wisconsin Lutheran shot 48.5 percent from the field, outrebounded Marian 48–26, and dominated the specialty categories, including points off turnovers (37–0), points in the paint (46–16), second-chance points (23–7), and fast-break scoring (16–0).
The Sabres (0-4, 0-1 NACC) were led by five points apiece from Nyedeng Awak and Cassandra Arndt. MU was held to 20.4 percent shooting from the floor, including 5.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Wisconsin Lutheran returns to action next Tuesday with a 7 p.m. non-conference matchup at Loras (1-1). Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.
