WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Wisconsin Lutheran College women's basketball team used a 20-0 run over the final 10:35 of the first half to defeat Maranatha 58-45 in a Northern Athletics Conference matchup Thursday night at the Maranatha Gymnasium.
The Warriors fell behind early as they found themselves down by eight points, 12-4, with 14:26 on the clock. The host Crusaders maintained their advantage and led 21-14 with 10:35 remaining in the first half. That would be the last of the Crusaders scoring in the opening half however as WLC rattled off 20 straight points to take a 34-21 advantage into halftime.
During the 20-0 run, Shavon Dillon (Milwaukee, Wis./Hope School) scored six points to lead the Warriors as they also got four points each from Rachel Johnson (Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) and Kristen Schulz (Safford, Ariz./Arizona Lutheran). Rachel Hoft (Germantown, Wis./Germantown) and Alyssa Allister (Lake Mills, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran) added three-point baskets during that span.
Wisconsin Lutheran was out-shot in the first half as the Crusaders shot 37 percent (10-for-27) from the floor, compared to the Warriors' 34.2 percent (13-for-38). Wisconsin Lutheran knocked down four three-pointers in the half and was tough on the glass as it recorded 11 more shot attempts in the first half.
WLC extended its run to 22-0 as it scored the first basket of the second half on a jumper by Johnson before Maranatha finally ended its drought by scoring at the 16:20 mark of the second half, its first basket in nearly 13 minutes of play.
Maranatha (6-5, 1-5 NAC) would cut the Wisconsin Lutheran lead to seven points with 6:47 remaining on the clock at 48-41, but a pair of jumpers by Melanie Laete (Spokane, Wash./Evergreen Lutheran) and two free throws by Dillon pushed the Warriors lead back to 13 points.
Offensive rebounding proved big for the Warriors in the win as they pulled down 18 and finished with a 44-32 rebounding advantage. Wisconsin Lutheran has now out-rebounded its opponents in 12 of its 13 games this season. Bench scoring also proved to be a big difference as the Warriors reserves out-scored the Crusaders, 23-0. Dillon scored nine points off the bench, while Laete chipped in with seven.
Johnson led Wisconsin Lutheran with 12 points to bring her career point total to 938 as she continues her journey to 1,000 points. Schulz added eight points and finished with a game-high 13 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end. Krissy Day (West Allis, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) added a game-best five assists for WLC.
Torey DeLozier paced the Crusaders with her game-best 13 points and teammate Autumn Poetter added 11.
Wisconsin Lutheran (10-3, 7-0 NAC) returns to action Saturday afternoon when it hosts Concordia Chicago (5-8, 3-5 NAC). Tip-off between the Warriors and Cougars is set for 2 p.m. at the Recreation Complex. Fans unable to attend the game can follow the action via live audio, stats and video at wlcsports.com.