Despite erasing a 16-point second half deficit, the Lake Forest College women's basketball team was defeated 68-59 by visiting University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Friday.
The Foresters trailed 41-25 in the third quarter before outscoring the Pioneers 23-10 in the final eight minutes of the period. The home team tied the score of 52 on a basket by freshman guard Taylor Major with 6:12 to play and took a 57-56 lead on a three-pointer by senior guard Katie Neher with 4:19 left. A free throw by junior guard Melissa Gomez with 3:41 on the clock increased the Lake Forest lead to two but Platteville scored the game's next 12 points to secure the victory.
Neher led all players in the contest with 19 points and a career-high-tying 10 rebounds. She added four assists and three steals in her second double-double as a Forester.
Lake Forest junior guard Maurissa Edwards finished with 15 points and four steals while Gomez and senior forward Annie Lally added 11 points apiece.
The Foresters shot 63 percent from the field in the second half and 43 percent for the game. They also limited Platteville to 39 percent shooting but committed 26 turnovers to the Pioneers' 18.
The loss dropped Lake Forest's overall record on the season to 3-6 while Platteville improved to 8-5.
The Foresters will resume Midwest Conference play at Knox College Tuesday night at 5:30.
