Lake Forest College Sports Information
February 7, 2004
Contact: Mike Wajerski, SID

Foresters Fall on the Road to MWC's Top Two Teams
Team's league record drops to 6-6
  

Eric McDonald had 23 points and 10 rebounds Saturday.
WAUKESHA, WI - The Lake Forest College men's basketball team dropped two conference games on the road this weekend (February 6-7). The Foresters fell 80-51 at Lawrence University Friday night and 66-61 at Carroll College Saturday afternoon. The losses dropped the team to 9-10 overall and 6-6 in conference play. Lawrence is ranked 16th in the nation and leads the conference with an 11-1 league mark. Carroll is in second place at 10-3. 

On a rough night when no Forester scored in double figures, sophomore guard Dodd Browning (Champaign, IL/Central) turned in a solid performance, shooting 4-for-7 from the field. He added another bucket at the free throw line giving him 9 points, 3 rebounds, and a blocked shot. Sophomore forward Franklyn Beckford (Jacksonville, IL/Jacksonville) also scored 9 points and added 4 rebounds and a pair of assists.

With the game tied at 17 and 10:35 to play in the first half, Lawrence went on a 12-0 run and never looked back. The Vikings shot 51.8% from the floor on the night and nearly as well from three-point range, making 12 of 24 attempts.

Junior forward Eric McDonald (Elk Grove, IL/Elk Grove) led the team on Saturday with 23 points and added 10 rebounds. McDonald earned the majority of his points at the free throw line, going 11-for-12. Beckford also turned in a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. He made the most of limited shooting opportunities, shooting 5-for-7 from the field and 3-for-4 from the charity stripe. 

In a tale of two halves, the Foresters got off to a rough start, finishing the first period trailing 34-23. However, the Foresters came out strong in the second half and used a 14-3 run to cut the lead to just a pair (61-59) with 1:49 remaining. Carroll made five straight free throws in the final minute to secure the win. 

The Foresters out-shot the Pioneers 40.4% to 39.3%. They also controlled the boards with 41 rebounds to Carroll's 28. But a slow start and tough day from three-point range (2-for-15) was the difference, as Lake Forest could not complete the second-half comeback.

The Foresters continue conference play at home on Wednesday night (February 11) at 7:30 against Illinois College (8-11, 6-6 MWC). They will then host Grinnell College (16-4, 9-4) on Saturday (February 14) at 3:00 p.m. for Alumni Day.

By Ryan Gallegos

Lake Forest - Lawrence Box Score
Lake Forest - Carroll Box Score