SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – A 17-3 run in the final 3:35 by host Lakeland College sunk a valiant comeback effort by the Marian University women's basketball team as the Muskies recorded the 81-69 Northern Athletics Conference win this afternoon, Feb. 11.
The Sabres took a 66-64 lead with 3:49 left in the second half, erasing a prior 14-point deficit in the process. But the Muskies wouldn't go down without a fight and they didn't, stringing together a 12-0 run en route to the 12-point win.
Marian's
Alexis Becker led all scorers with 23 points on 6-for-19 from the field, including 1-for-2 from three and 10-for-11 from the charity stripe.
Bianca Whittington added a season-high 12 points, while
Sarah Albert tallied 12 as well. Lakeland put three players in double-figures led by Jessica Genke's 16 points.
Lakeland improves to 17-6 overall, 12-5 in the NAC, while Marian falls to 12-11 (8-9 NAC).
Marian went 22-for-23 at the free throw line, but it wasn't enough. Impressively, the Muskies attempted 38 freebies and converted 31 of them.
The Sabres trailed 34-26 at halftime and were down by as many as 14 points at the 12:17 mark in the second half. But a 23-9 Marian run tied the game at 64-all with 4:17 remaining. The Sabres would hold a brief two-point lead before the Muskies made their decisive push at the end.
Lakeland outscored Marian, 30-14, in the paint and 46-15 in bench points. The Sabres fell for the first time this season when recording 10 three-pointers or more. Marian went 11-for-31 from beyond the arc.
The Sabres will wrap up the regular season, with the exception of the NAC Challenge game, when they take on Alverno College Wednesday, Feb. 15. It will be the home finale and Senior Day for Becker. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
