Green Knights Stake Claim to First Place at Illinois College

From Sports Information Director, January 18, 2014 | Women's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - St. Norbert College moved into sole possession of first place in the Midwest Conference with a 66-42 win over Illinois College at Bruner Center.

The Green Knights (11-3, 8-1 MWC) entered the day tied with the Lady Blues (9-5, 7-2) in the standings, but a stifling defense led the visitors to the victory. Illinois College shot just 29.8 percent from the floor, making 14 of 47 field-goal attempts.

St. Norbert held a 12-8 lead with 13:18 left in the first half before going on a 14-1 run over the next 8 minutes 21 seconds. The Green Knights closed out the spurt with a 3-pointer and hoop by Lana Tomashek, a 3-pointer by Morgan Heim and a basket by Heidi Van Sistine for a 26-9 edge with 4:57 left. St. Norbert settled on a 31-17 halftime lead.

The Lady Blues cut the deficit to 39-27 with 15:04 left, but a quick 6-0 run by St. Norbert on a basket by Stephanie Weigman and two by Breanna Byrne put the Green Knights up 18. Illinois College would get no closer than 16 points the rest of the way.

Weigman led the Green Knights with a career-high 18 points. Van Sistine added 16 points and Tomashek 10 for St. Norbert, which shot 45.5 percent from the field.

Hannah McGinnis led Illinois College with 14 points.