Lake Forest Secures Spot in MWC Tourney With Win Over Illinois College
McDonald tallies 30 points and 10 rebounds in final home game 
  

Eric McDonald led the team to victory in his final home game.

Senior forward Eric McDonald (Elk Grove, IL/Elk Grove) led all players with 30 points and 10 rebounds in the final home game of his illustrious career. McDonald shot 9-of-14 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range. He also made all nine of his free throw attempts and added two steals and a pair of blocked shots. He is now seventh on the program’s all-time scoring list with 1,335 career points, 29 fewer than sixth and 41 away from cracking the top five.

Sophomore guard Brad Wehner (Sheboygan, WI/Sheboygan North) scored a dozen points in the game and added four rebounds and three assists. He shot 5-for-6 from the field and made both of his attempts from beyond the arc. Junior forwards Franklyn Beckford (Jacksonville, IL/Jacksonville) and Brad Rathe (Deer Park, IL/Lake Zurich) each scored nine.

The Foresters shot a blistering 65.2% from the field in the first half and 54.8% or the game. The team also made 42.9% (6-of-14) of their three-point attempts and 80% (20-of-25) of their free throws. Illinois College shot 39.7% from the floor, 4-of-16 from three-point range, and 14-of-18 from the foul line. Both teams pulled down 28 rebounds and Lake Forest committed 15 turnovers while forcing nine.

The home team scored the first eight points of the game and led by 19 points (39-20) at halftime.

A 13-0 Illinois College run early in the second half brought the visitors within six points (41-35) with more than 13 minutes left. Lake Forest increased its advantage to 13 points twice and led by nine (56-47) with 5:36 remaining in regulation. A 9-0 run by the visitors over the next three-and-a-half minutes tied the score at 56 and, after two points and missed opportunities for each team, the second half buzzer sounded.

The game was tied again at 60 before a Wehner jumper with 3:45 to play gave the home team a lead it would not relinquish. The Foresters shot 3-for-3 from the field and, more importantly, 8-for-10 from the foul line as they increased their lead to as many as 10 points in the extra period.

Lake Forest will travel to Grinnell College on Saturday (February 19) for a 3:00 p.m. game that will close out the regular season. Lawrence University will host the 2005 MWC Tournament the following weekend (February 25-26) and the Foresters will be either the #2 or #3 seed in the tourney.

Box Score