Second-Half Comeback Lifts Warriors To Season-Opening Victory
WLC plays #4 DePauw in Dunn’s Tip-Off title game
November 16, 2012
Rachel HoftMILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Lutheran College women’s basketball team used a second-half comeback to push past Hamline 58-53 in its season-opening game Friday in the opening round of the Dunn’s Sporting Goods Tip-Off Tournament.
The Warriors fell behind 43-34 with 11:19 to go before rallying off 11 straight points to take a 46-43 lead with 6:42 remaining in the game. Rachel Hoft (Germantown, Wis./Germantown) hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 43-43 during that key run.
Hamline evened the score at 46-46, but Hoft hit another huge three-pointer to give WLC a 49-46 advantage with 3:55 remaining in the game. Hamline hit a free-throw to cut the WLC lead to two points, but the Warriors rattled off the next five points to build a comfortable seven-point lead with 1:05 remaining in the game.
The Pipers again cut Wisconsin Lutheran's advantage to two points at 55-53, but Alyssa Allister (Lake Mills, Wis./Lakeside Lutheran) and Hoft combined to make three free throws down the stretch allowing WLC to escape with the 58-53 victory.
The opening half saw the Warriors come out of the gates strong as they scored the first eight points, four each from Kristen Schulz (Safford, Ariz./Arizona Lutheran) and Krissy Day (West Allis, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran). The Pipers took control from that point as they scored the next 10 points. The rest of the half also went in favor of Hamline as it took a 34-26 advantage into the break.
Hoft led Wisconsin Lutheran with 14 points off the bench as the hosts held a big advantage in bench scoring, outscoring Hamline 30-13. Schulz finished with 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds, while Day and Shavon Dillon (Milwaukee, Wis./Hope School) each dished out a team-best three assists.
Hamline (0-1) was led by Steph Pilgrim's game-high 16 points. Jordan Sammons added 11 points and a team-best six rebounds, while Danielle Daniels tallied a game-best four assists.
The Warriors had an advantage at the foul line, despite shooting just 54.4 percent (14-for-24) as they made more free throws (14) than Hamline attempted (10). WLC also controlled the boards, outrebounding HU 48-33.
Wisconsin Lutheran (1-0) advances to the championship game of the Dunn’s Sporting Goods Tip-Off Tournament Saturday at 3 p.m. when it hosts fourth-ranked DePauw (1-0). The Tigers advanced to the championship game by virtue of an 88-48 victory over Wis.-Stout. Hamline and Wis.-Stout will play in the consolation game at 1 p.m., followed by the championship game at 3 p.m. Fans can follow the action for both games via live stats and live video at www.wlcsports.com. Live audio will also be available for the WLC-DePauw contest.
