Lake Forest College sophomore guard Kelsey Schmitt scored a career-high 16 points but the Foresters were defeated 74-60 at Carroll University Wednesday night.
Schmitt led the visitors in points and with seven rebounds, one more than senior forward K.C. Stralka and guard Michelle Ricolcol. Ricolcol was next on the team with 11 points, Stralka finished with 10, and junior forward Brittany Avonts added nine. Stralka also chipped in with a team-high four assists.
Both teams shot 43 percent from the field but the Foresters were outscored 18-6 from three-point range and 20-8 from the free throw line. Lake Forest committed four more turnovers (15-11) than Carroll and twice as many fouls (22-11). The Pioneers had a slight 35-34 edge in rebounds.
Six straight points by the Foresters late in the first quarter helped give them a 16-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. The margin grew to as many as eight points but the home team closed out the half on a 13-4 run and led 32-31 at the break.
Schmitt scored seven points in a row during a 13-2 Forester run early in the third quarter. A basket by Stralka finished off the run and made the score 44-36 with 5:56 to play in the period. The visitors led 48-43 after a layup by Schmitt with 3:25 remaining in the third. Carroll then outscored Lake Forest 16-0 over the next five minutes to seize control of the game. A traditional three-point play by Ricolcol cut the deficit to six points with 6:52 on the clock but the Foresters would get no closer. The Pioneers pulled away and secured the victory.
Lake Forest is now 2-2 overall and 1-1 in Midwest Conference play this season. Carroll improved to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the league.
The Foresters will continue conference play at home against Knox College Saturday evening at 5:00.
