Lake Forest Defeats Lawrence, Climbs to .500 in MWC Play

Photo by Kyra Vidas
Photo by Kyra Vidas

The Forester men's basketball team posted a 79-70 victory over Lawrence University at home Tuesday night in its final Midwest Conference game of the fall semester. Junior forward Torrey Davis led the home team with a career-high 20 points and added seven rebounds and three assists.

Davis had 10 points in each half and shot 10-for-16 from the field in the contest. His previous career-high was 19 points against Beloit College on December 10 of last season.

Senior forward Brian Madson, sophomore forward Jim Schick, and freshman guard Danny Nikitas also reached double figures in points with 17, 16, and 12 respectively. Madson shot 8-for-10 from the field, grabbed six rebounds, and had three blocked shots. Schick led all players in the contest with 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the year. Nikitas, who was playing against his older brother Jamie and in front of several family and friends, led the Foresters with four assists and played nearly the entire game.

Lake Forest scored the first eight points of the night and led by as many as 11 (26-15) in the first half. Lawrence scored the next nine points, however, before a 9-2 Forester run to close out the half made the score 35-26 at the break.

Lawrence cut the lead to four points twice in the early part of the second half but would get no closer. A three-pointer by sophomore guard Andrew Toth made the score 44-35 with 17:19 to play and the lead was at least seven points the rest of the way. Every time the Vikings would begin to come back, the Foresters would make a basket or two to keep the visitors at arm's length. Schick and junior guard Austin Terry each made a pair of free throws in the final minute to help clinch the victory.

Jamie and Danny Nikitas each left the game to a strong ovation in the closing seconds.

Lake Forest is now 3-4 overall and 3-3 in league play this season. Lawrence fell to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the conference.

The Foresters will travel to Carthage College on Saturday, December 20, for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off.