Lakeland College

Defense key in Lakeland victory over Marian

Athletics - posted on 1/20/2010

FOND DU LAC--- Having lost three games in a row , the Lakeland College women's basketball team had struggled in putting opponents away in the second half. Against Marian on Wednesday night the Muskies dominated play after halftime as they picked up a 65-47 Northern Athletics Conference victory.

"We demanded a lot from our players tonight, especially the little things on defense," Lakeland head coach Teri Johnson said. " All five people on the floor working together was something we had lacked lately but we did a good job of communicating tonight."

Lakeland (11-5, 6-3) scored the first five points of the game and never trailed. Marian was successful on just 6-of-20 field goal attempts in the first 20 minutes as they were able to close the gap to 7-6 with 12:42 remaining in the first.

Having taken its first double digit lead of the game on a 3-pointer from Erin Cepa (Glenview, Ill.), the Muskies used a layup from Katie Kilton (Waukesha) and a Mary Dennewitz (Chicago, Ill.) 3-pointer in the final minute to enter halftime ahead 29-18.

After the break, Marian was held scoreless for over five minutes beginning at 18:41 as Lakeland took advantage and put the game out of reach with 14 consecutive points to take a 47-25 lead

KC Blahnik (Gladstone, Mich.) led Lakeland for the fourth straight game with 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Her nine rebounds were also a team high, the 14th time in 16 games that she has at least tied for the team lead in rebounds in a game.

Kilton and Dennewitz each joined Blahnik in double figures with 10 points apiece.

Lakeland held a 44-30 rebound advantage and outscored Marian 26-14 in the paint.

Marian's 33 turnovers made tonight the fifth time this season that Lakeland has forced its opponent to commit at least 30 turnovers. Becca Tilleman (Green Bay) recorded a game-high six steals as the Muskies picked up 20 as a team.

Brooke Haen led Marian with 14 points despite committing 13 turnovers.

Lakeland returns home on Saturday, Jan. 23 against MSOE as the first game of a doubleheader. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.