Behind a season-high-tying 21 points from sophomore guard Kelsey Burton, Lake Forest posted a 78-49 victory at Cornell College on Saturday.
Burton shot 5-for-6 from three-point range and 7-for-9 from the field overall in the contest. She also added five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a blocked shot.
Senior forward Hannah Hiland was the only other Forester in double figures with 15 points and she contributed to the visitors' 39-31 edge in rebounds with seven of her own. In addition, her five assists on the afternoon matched her career high. Junior guard Zaria Sydnor also had five assists while scoring nine points and junior forward Molly Schoenlein's nine points went along with a pair of blocked shots and a team-high eight boards.
Lake Forest connected on 11 of 24 attempts from three-point range, reaching double figures in that category for the third time this season but first since November 19. The visitors were also extremely accurate from the free throw line, making all but two of their 17 attempts, and committed just 13 turnovers while forcing 17.
The Foresters trailed by as many as six points early in the game but closed out the opening period on a 15-5 run and led 22-18 after 10 minutes of play. The margin reached double figures for the first time in the game on a three-pointer by Burton with 4:21 to play in the half and a basket by sophomore guard Jaianna Brooks on Lake Forest's next trip down the court made the score 36-24. The Rams, however scored the final seven points of the second quarter and trailed by just five at 36-31 at halftime.
Lake Forest held Cornell scoreless for the first 8:20 of the third quarter while putting 17 more points on the scoreboard during that span. After a three-pointer by the Rams ended the run, the Foresters connected on a pair of shots from beyond the arc to finish the quarter ahead 59-34. The margin grew to as many as 35 points in the final period.
The victory improved the Foresters' overall record to 8-7 and kept them tied atop the Midwest Conference standings at 7-1 in league play. Cornell fell to 4-9 overall and 4-4 in the conference.
Lake Forest will travel to St. Norbert College on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.