Another Defensive Gem On Display As Warriors Suffocate Raiders

MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) - Senior Janiyah Goner (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored a game-high 15 points and junior Jayden Hill (Kenosha, Wis.) tallied her third career double-double to lead Wisconsin Lutheran College to a 58-36 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference win over Milwaukee School of Engineering on Wednesday at Time of Grace Center.

The Warriors (15-7, 12-1 NACC), who extended their winning streak to a conference-best 10 games, held an opponent under 40 points for the third consecutive contest.

WLC sprinted out to a 12-2 lead over the Raiders at the 4:16 mark of the first quarter, highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from senior Kara Troxel (Bonduel, Wis.). Wisconsin Lutheran, which shot an even 50 percent (7-for-14) in the opening quarter, maintained the 10-point advantage by netting the final five points for a 17-7 cushion. 

Four straight points put the Warriors ahead by 14 points two minutes into the second quarter. WLC held a double-digit lead for the first five minutes before MSOE came within eight points at 30-22 with 1:41 remaining before halftime. A 7-0 run by Wisconsin Lutheran pushed its lead to 15 points before a final Milwaukee School of Engineering basket made the score 37-24 at intermission. The Warriors once again shot 50 percent (7-for-14) from the floor in the period.

WLC opened the third quarter with seven straight points as its lead grew to 19 points at 43-24. Freshman Abby Cole (Fond du Lac, Wis.) gave Wisconsin Lutheran its first 20-point advantage with 6:08 left. A pair of layups from Goner within the final two minutes extended the lead to 21 points twice, including 52-31 after three quarters of play.

A low-scoring fourth quarter featured just 11 combined points between the two teams. A three-pointer from senior Mack Hogenson (Neenah, Wis.) put the Warriors in front by a game-high 24 points at 58-34 with 2:11 to go. 

Goner led WLC with a game-high 15 points to go along with six rebounds. Cole finished with 11 points and five boards off the bench. Hill filled the box score with 10 points, a career-high 14 rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Wisconsin Lutheran shot 40.4 percent (21-for-52) for the game and outscored the Raiders in points off turnovers (15-6), points in the paint (24-14), second chance points (10-4), and fast break points (10-3).

Halena Hill scored 14 points for MSOE (12-10, 8-5 NACC), which was held to 25 percent (13-for-52) shooting from the floor.

The Warriors travel to Madison on Saturday for a 3:15 p.m. NACC matchup against Edgewood (13-9, 9-4 NACC). Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.