by FOND DU LAC, Wis. — Margie Stevens (Oneida) recorded a double-double Wednesday night as Wisconsin Lutheran College opened Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play with a 74-48 win over Marian University at Sadoff Gymnasium.
Stevens started and led the Warriors with 18 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes. She shot 8-of-19 from the field and 2-of-4 from three-point range, grabbed four offensive and six defensive rebounds, and added four assists and two steals.
Wisconsin Lutheran seized control early, shooting 12-for-15 in the first quarter to lead 30-14. Marian’s only lead came at 5-4 before an 11-0 Warriors run, capped by interior baskets from Abby Cole and Stevens, made it 15-5.
Marian opened the second quarter on a 9-4 run to cut the margin to 34-23, but Wisconsin Lutheran closed the half on a 9-3 stretch, capped by a Stevens turnaround jumper in the paint, to lead 43-26 at halftime. The Warriors then outscored Marian 16-11 in the third quarter behind a 16-6 run and led 59-37 entering the fourth, with their largest lead reaching 72-44 late.
Cole also posted a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds for Wisconsin Lutheran, while Alexis Beger and Madeline Leffel scored 11 points apiece and Kenly Frey added 10. Azaziah Evans-Blake led Marian with 13 points. The Warriors finished with a 44-10 edge in points in the paint.
Wisconsin Lutheran improved to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the NACC, while Marian fell to 0-2 and 0-1. The Warriors return home Friday, Nov. 13, to host UW-Eau Claire at 7 p.m. in the opening game of the Paul F. Knueppel Classic.
