Foresters Unable to Complete Season Sweep of Beloit

Photo by Kyra Vidas
Photo by Kyra Vidas

Sophomore guard Hannah O'Day came off the bench to score a game-high 20 points but the Lake Forest College women's basketball team was defeated 49-44 Tuesday evening at Beloit College.

O'Day connected on eight of 10 attempts from the free throw line and added five rebounds and three steals in the contest. Sophomore forward Paige Bobos was next on the team with six points and she led the squad with eight rebounds and matched O'Day's three steals.

The Foresters shot just 29.2 percent from the field, connected on three of 17 attempts from three-point range, and knocked down 13 of 17 foul shots. The Buccaneers shot 37.5 percent from the floor but also struggled from beyond the arc, making just two of 13 three-point field goal attempts. Beloit had a 42-28 edge in rebounds while Lake Forest committed just 15 turnovers to the home team's 23.

The Foresters trailed 10-6 late in the first quarter before rattling off 10 straight points over the next four minutes. The next seven minutes belonged to Beloit, however, as the Bucs regained the lead during a 13-2 run. 

Beloit was ahead 23-20 at halftime and opened up the largest lead of the game at 29-22 early in the third quarter. O'Day then poured in 10 points during an 11-2 run that gave the visitors a brief 33-31 advantage with 2:45 to play in the period. 

Trailing 36-35 with 10 minutes to play, the Foresters began the fourth quarter with a three-pointer by junior guard Kara Norvet and a pair of free throws by O'Day, making the score 40-36 in favor of the visitors. The margin was five at 43-38 after a traditional three-point play by senior forward Brie Majkowski with 3:41 on the clock but the Bucs outscored their guests 11-1 the rest of the way to secure the victory.

The teams split the season series and are both now 5-13 overall on the year. At 4-9 in Midwest Conference play, Lake Forest leads Beloit by a game in the league standings. 

The Foresters will travel to Ripon College on Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. contest.