MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Lutheran College women's basketball team kept its perfect conference record intact as it defeated Concordia Chicago 75-39 Saturday afternoon at the Recreation Complex.
It took a while for both teams to get in a rhythm offensively as the scoreboard read 10-6 with 10:58 remaining in the first half. The Warriors then scored the next three points to lead 13-6 with 9:12 on the clock before the Cougars answered with a pair of free throws.
Wisconsin Lutheran then went on a 7-0 run to build its lead to 20-8 with 6:19 to play in the first half. Concordia Chicago (5-9, 3-6 NAC) cut its deficit to seven points at 25-18, but the Warriors scored the final eight points of the first half to take a 33-18 lead into the locker room.
WLC played solid defense throughout the first half as it held the Cougars to 21.4 percent (6-for-28) shooting while forcing 11 turnovers. Conversely, the Warriors shot 39.3 percent (11-for-28) and turned the ball over six times.
Katelyn Kuehl (Fond du Lac, Wis./Winnebago Lutheran) scored eight points as she led all first-half scorers. Kristen Schulz (Safford, Ariz./Arizona Lutheran) pulled down seven rebounds in the opening 20 minutes to lead all players in the half. Cristina Calabrese came off the bench to lead the Cougars with five first-half points.
The second half is where WLC really started to pull away as it built its lead to 25 points at 46-21 with 14:27 remaining in play. Concordia Chicago would get no closer the rest of the way as the Warriors coasted to the 36-point victory.
For the game, Wisconsin Lutheran forced 23 turnovers compared to giving the ball away 15 times, but it was the points off turnovers that proved to be a difference. The Warriors scored 19 points off turnovers compared to the Cougars' six. WLC also got the ball inside, winning the points in the paint battle, 32-14.
The Warriors defense held strong in the second half as well as CUC shot 26 percent (13-for-50) from the floor. WLC shot 43.1 percent (25-for-58), including making 46.7 percent (14-for-30) of its shots in the second half.
Kuehl finished with a game-high 12 points to lead Wisconsin Lutheran, while Schulz added 10 points and a game-best nine rebounds. Shavon Dillon (Milwaukee, Wis./Hope School) poured in 10 points to pace the Warriors. Krystyna Rickett finished with a team-best nine points for the visiting Cougars.
Wisconsin Lutheran (11-3, 8-0 NAC) returns to action Wednesday night when it hosts Edgewood (6-9, 5-4 NAC). Tip-off between the Warriors and Eagles is set for 7 p.m. Fans unable to attend the game can follow the action via live audio, stats and video at wlcsports.com.