The Forester women's basketball team hosted and defeated Lawrence University 76-48 Friday evening, raising its overall record on the season to 9-8 and Midwest Conference mark to 7-5. Freshman Gina Ambrose and Sam Acosta combined to shoot 5-for-9 from three-point range and contribute 17 points off the bench.
Acosta matched her career-high with nine points in just 11 minutes of play and Ambrose scored eight and added a pair of assists in 16 minutes.
Sophomore guards Alex Messacar and Sam Schuring led Lake Forest with a dozen points apiece. Messacar was 3-for-6 from on three-pointers while Schuring also chipped in with four rebounds two steals, and a game-high five assists. Senior guard Emily Weber also reached double figures with 10 points and shot 2-for-4 from beyond the arc.
The Foresters shot 41.8 percent from the field, 10-for-23 (43.5%) from three-point range, and 10-for-14 (71.4%) from the free throw line. They also limited Lawrence to 31.4 percent shooting from the field and the Vikings made two of seven three-pointers and 14 of 18 free throws. The visitors actually out-rebounded Lake Forest 40-38 but Lawrence's 30 turnovers were nearly twice the Foresters' 16.
A 13-0 Lake Forest run in the first half gave the home team a 21-6 lead midway through the opening half and the Foresters extended their advantage to as many as 22 points in the period. Lawrence scored the final two baskets of the half and trailed 38-20 at intermission.
The Vikings pulled to within 13 points (42-29) early in the second half but would get no closer. The Foresters outscored their guests 23-8 over the next 10 minutes to put the game out of reach.
Lawrence fell to 0-19 overall and 0-14 in league play.
The Foresters will host Carroll University tomorrow afternoon at 2:00. Live stats and a live video webcast of the contest will be available.
