St. Norbert Can't Hang On Against Lake Forest

From Asst. AD/Athletics Communications, December 4, 2019 | Women's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

DE PERE - St. Norbert College couldn't hold a late lead and ended up succumbing 65-63 to Lake Forest College in the Midwest Conference opener for both teams on Connie Tilley Court at Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center.

St. Norbert held a 63-62 lead with 2:20 remaining after an Ava Moldenhauer basket, but the Green Knights would go scoreless the rest of the way. The Foresters' Zaria Sydnor converted a pair of free throws with 18 seconds left for a 64-63 lead. St. Norbert missed a shot on its ensuing possession. Following a pair of fouls to send Sydnor back to the free-throw line, she split her pair of attempts. The Green Knights' final shot as time expired was offline.

The Green Knights got off to a good start, taking an 11-4 lead in the first 5:49 of the game, with Hannah Gibbons scoring six points during the run. The Foresters cut their deficit to 11-10 before St. Norbert pushed back ahead 15-10 on a Kaycee Gierczak hoop before eventually settling on a 17-15 lead after the first quarter.

St. Norbert led 21-15 early in the second quarter following a Moldenhauer hoop, but the Foresters would go on a 9-0 run to take a 24-21 lead. Lake Forest led 29-26 with 1:19 left in the period before St. Norbert got a conventional three-point play from Jessica Boerner and a layup by Moldenhauer for a 31-29 halftime lead.

Lake Forest would take a 40-37 lead halfway through the third quarter before St. Norbert answered with a 10-0 run. Gierczak started the run with a basket, followed by a 3-pointer from Mary Cravillion. Sarah Neumann finished a layup, which was followed by another trey from Cravillion for a 47-40 lead with 3:00 left in the period. The Foresters would get back to within 47-46, but St. Norbert would lead 51-47 after three periods.

St. Norbert never led by more than three points in the fourth quarter, with the Foresters' biggest lead just two points at 58-56 with 6:00 left.

The Green Knights shot 35.6 percent (26-for-73) from the floor. Moldenhauer finished with a career-high 16 points and added six rebounds, while Macie Zurfluh added 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Gierczak had a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with eight points. St. Norbert held a 51-39 rebounding advantage.

Lake Forest shot 37.9 percent (22-for-58) from the floor. Meona Feather led the Foresters with 16 points, while Kelsey Burton added 15 points and Sydnor 14 counters.