Warriors Claim First Conference Tourney Crown In 15 Years

Game Leaders

Rockford
Pts: Micah Swanson - 17
Reb: Kevin Diemer - 14
Ast: Kivontay Shaw - 4
Wisconsin Lutheran
Pts: 2 Players (#02, #42 - 18)
Reb: 2 Players (#24, #42 - 8)
Ast: Drew Bernhagen - 6

Team Stats

Rockford
Wisconsin Lutheran

Field Goals

(28-69)
(26-62)

Field Goal %

40.6%
41.9%

Rebounds

42
44

Assists

15
17

Turnovers

13
11

Pts off Turnovers

8
14

2nd Chance Pts

11
5

Pts in the Paint

40
36

Fastbreak Pts

4
9

Bench Pts

30
8
full stats
Mar 13, 2021

MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) – Freshman Jacob Stoltz (Kewaskum, Wis.) and junior Zach Zuleger (West Bend, Wis.) each scored 18 points as the Wisconsin Lutheran College men's basketball team defeated Rockford 78-71 to win the 2021 NACC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship on Saturday night inside the Recreation Complex. The NACC Tournament title is the first for the Warriors and their fourth overall in program history.

  • Final Score: Wisconsin Lutheran 78, Rockford 71
  • Records: Wisconsin Lutheran (11-3), Rockford (9-5)
  • Location: Recreation Complex, Milwaukee, Wis.

  • Junior Drew Bernhagen (Markesan, Wis.) started the night with a one-handed slam and the Warriors scored the first six points of the game to take an early lead. WLC pushed the advantage to nine on a three from sophomore Trevor Stiede (Pulaski, Wis.) and a layup from Bernhagen. Rockford scored four straight and Wisconsin Lutheran led 13-8 heading into the first media timeout.
  • Coming out of the break, Bernhagen extended the lead to 22-8 behind a trio of makes from beyond the arc. With 11:35 remaining in the opening half, Stoltz knocked down a three to give the Warriors a 26-12 advantage.
  • Following a timeout with under eight minutes to play in the half, the Regents scored seven unanswered points to cut the WLC lead to six at 29-23. Freshman Grayson Goetz (Aurora, Ill.) pushed the margin back to eight with a pair of free throw makes, and Wisconsin Lutheran entered halftime with a seven-point lead at 34-27.
  • Scoring came quickly to start the second half, with both teams trading baskets for the first couple of minutes. Stoltz scored six points in the opening three minutes of the half, and Stiede knocked down his second three of the game to give the Warriors a double-digit lead at 45-34.
  • With 13:50 left in regulation, Rockford scored seven straight points to make it a one-possession game at 51-49. Junior Alex VanCrete (Green Lake, Wis.) scored on a mid-range jumper to end the run and a layup from Goetz put the Warriors back up six.
  • The Regents took their first lead of the game at 60-59 with 7:25 remaining on a jump shot. VanCrete evened the score with a free throw, but Rockford scored on the following possession to regain the lead. Stoltz gave the Warriors a one-point lead but the Regents responded with another basket to take another one-point lead with 5:43 left to play.
  • With the score even at 66, two makes from the line by Stoltz and a layup from Zuleger put Wisconsin Lutheran up four with 3:12 on the clock. Rockford scored again, but Zuleger battled in the post to convert a layup to keep it a two-possession game at 72-68.
  • With under a minute to play, the Regents got within three on a pair of free throw makes, but a transition dunk by Zuleger off a pass from junior Grant Biesterfeld (West Bend, Wis.) put WLC up five. Goetz sealed the victory with two free throws with four seconds remaining to put the finishing touches on a 78-71 victory.

  • Stoltz and Zuleger led the Warriors with 18 points to lead four players in double figures. Both players scored 13 points in the second half. VanCrete finished with 15 points while Bernhagen added 13.
  • WLC shot 41.9 percent (26-of-62) from the floor and 36.4 percent (8-of-22) from deep. After shooting under 40 percent in the first half, the Green and White shot 48.3 percent in the second half.
  • Zuleger and Bernhagen shared the team lead in rebounding with eight apiece. Bernhagen also dished out a team-high six assists.
  • Wisconsin Lutheran forced 13 turnovers and out-scored the Regents 14-8 in points off turnovers.
  • The Green and White improved to 8-0 on the season at home and won for the 25th time in their last 27 outings on Catalyst Court.

  • Micah Swanson scored a team-high 17 points off the bench for the Regents. Ashton Singleton finished with 13 while De'Marius Bonds added 11.
  • Kevin Diemer posted a game-high 14 rebounds, while recording a pair of steals and eight points. 
  • Rockford shot 40.6 percent (28-of-69) from the field and 17.2 percent (5-of-29) from beyond the arc.

  • The Warriors wrapped up their abbreviated 2020-2021 season with an 11-3 overall record, including 7-3 in the NACC. The NACC Tournament title is the first for WLC and its fourth overall in program history.