The Forester women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 77-43 victory at Lawrence University on Tuesday. Lake Forest junior guard Michelle Ricolcol matched her career-high with 20 points in as many minutes on the court.
Ricolcol scored seven points during the visitors 16-0 run to open the game. The Foresters extended the lead to 22 points later in the period and had a 22-point advantage (37-15) again at halftime.
Lawrence trimmed the margin to 17 points five minutes into the second half but got no closer. Lake Forest rattled off 12 straight points a few minutes later and eventually led by 38.
Ricolcol made seven of eight attempts from the field, including both of her shots from three-point range. She also shot 4-for-4 from the foul line. With 16 points, senior guard Danielle Canulli was the only other Forester to score in double figures and she added four rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Junior forward K.C. Stralka led the visitors with six rebounds, matched Canulli's four assists, and blocked three shots, one fewer than sophomore forward Brittany Avonts. Senior guard Jenna Rice has a pair of steals, including the 100th of her career.
Lake Forest shot 49 percent from the floor while the Vikings connected on just 29 percent of their field goal attempts. The Foresters were also 5-for-9 from beyond the arc and 20-for-32 from the foul line while out-rebounding the home team 42-40.
The victory raised the Foresters' overall record to 8-9 and moved them into sole possession of fourth place in the Midwest Conference with an 8-5 league mark. Lawrence fell to 0-16 overall and 0-12 in the conference.
Lake Forest will host Monmouth College Saturday afternoon at 3:00.