PLYMOUTH, Wis. (WLCSports.com) – Sophomore
Abby Cole (Fond du Lac, Wis.) and junior
Margie Stevens (Oneida, Wis.) each recorded a double-double to power No. 22 Wisconsin Lutheran College past Lakeland 84–50 in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup on Saturday at Woltzen Gymnasium.
The Warriors (6-1, 3-0 NACC) set the tone early, using an 8-0 first-quarter run on the way to a 16-4 lead at the 3:25 mark. Cole and Stevens scored seven early points each, and WLC feasted off a 12-4 advantage on points in the paint to gain a 22-11 lead after the opening quarter.
Wisconsin Lutheran extended its lead to 17 points midway through the second quarter, but the Muskies (1-6, 1-1 NACC) briefly found rhythm with a 9-0 run that trimmed the margin to eight. The Warriors responded immediately with a 7-0 run to rebuild a double-digit advantage, and WLC carried a 37–26 lead into the half behind 16 first-half points from Stevens.
Wisconsin Lutheran continued to separate in the third quarter, using a 7-0 spurt midway through the period to push the lead to 18. The Warriors shot 58.3 percent (7-for-12) from the floor in the frame and outscored LU 22–16 to take full command at 59–42 heading to the fourth.
WLC saved its best for the final quarter, erupting for 25 points on 60 percent shooting and posting the game's largest run — a 13-0 burst that extended the margin beyond 30. Wisconsin Lutheran's defense held Lakeland to just eight points over the final 10 minutes to close out the 34-point road win.
The Warriors shot 44.6 percent (29-for-65) from the field for the game and were led by Stevens' season-high 28 points in addition to 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Cole added 17 points and a game-best 12 rebounds for her third double-double of the young year. Senior
Jayden Hill (Kenosha, Wis.) chipped in 10 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
WLC dominated several specialty areas, including points in the paint (46–28), second-chance points (26–7), and points off turnovers (20–12), while outrebounding the Muskies 47–28.
LU finished at 33.3 percent (19-for-57) shooting. Alexis Johnson led Lakeland with nine points, and Jiaryatou Cisse grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
Wisconsin Lutheran returns home next Saturday, December 13, to host UW-Platteville (7-1) at 5:30 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.
Â
