MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WLCSports.com) – Wisconsin Lutheran College used a balanced attack and a stifling defensive effort to pull away for a 76-54 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference victory over Concordia Chicago on Saturday at Time of Grace Center.
The Warriors (6-15, 4-10 NACC) led 33-25 at halftime after weathering an early Cougars push and closing the opening period on a 10-2 run over the final 2:44. CUC held a 7-2 lead over WLC three-and-a-half minutes in, but a layup from senior
Ja'Quell Chisom (Milwaukee, Wis.) gave Wisconsin Lutheran a 17-16 advantage with 8:44 remaining. It was a lead that the Warriors never relinquished. Freshman
Bryce Appel (Edgerton, Wis.) and Chisom paced WLC in the first half with 13 and 10 points, respectively, as Wisconsin Lutheran shot 44.8 percent from the floor to seize control late.
The Warriors built a double-digit cushion after back-to-back triples from senior
Ben Lubbers (Delafield, Wis.) and freshman
Isaiah Mellock (Greendale, Wis.) six minutes into the second half. WLC's lead stayed above 13 points over the final 9:26, eventually pushing the margin to as many as 22 points in the final minutes. Appel added 10 second-half points as Wisconsin Lutheran shot 54.8 percent.
The Warriors finished the game at an even 50.0 percent (30-for-60) shooting, reaching the mark for the fourth time in their last five games. Appel led all scorers with 23 points, while Chisom added 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. Lubbers chipped in 10 points to give WLC three double-figure scorers. Mellock and sophomore
Pierce Arenz (Kiel, Wis.) shared team-high assist honors with five apiece. Sophomore
Trey Raabe (Mukwonago, Wis.) paced Wisconsin Lutheran with three steals as the Warriors set season highs with 18 assists and 11 steals.
Concordia Chicago (6-15, 5-9 NACC) struggled to find offensive rhythm, shooting 28.2 percent (20-for-71) from the floor. Jacob Robinson scored a team-high 15 points, while Aaron Brown (12 points) and Honore Yangoua (11 points) also reached double figures. Yangoua led the Cougars on the boards with 10 rebounds.
The Warriors return to action on Wednesday, February 11, when they host Marian (12-9, 8-6 NACC) at 7 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.
