Lake Forest College Sports Information
February 9th, 2002
Contact: Mike Wajerski, SID

Lake Forest Clinches MWC Tourney Berth With Win Over Knox
Two-time defending champs will go for a "three-peat"
  

Kandyce Green scored a game-
high 17 points on Saturday.
LAKE FOREST, IL - With a 72-54 victory at home over Knox College on Saturday (February 9th), the Forester women's basketball team has clinched a spot in the four-team Midwest Conference Championship Tournament, to be played at Carroll College on February 22-23rd. Lake Forest, who won the tournament at St. Norbert College in 2000 and at home in 2001, will be looking for the first three-year run in the league since 1989.

Freshman guard Kandyce Green (Chicago Heights, IL/Marian Catholic) was the game's high scorer with 17 points. She shot 6-of-7 from the floor, 1-of-2 from three-point range, and 4-of-5 from the free throw line. Green also pulled down five rebounds, dished out three assists and added a pair of steals. The daughter of former NBA all-star Rickey Green scored 42 points in two games this week on 14-of-19 shooting (73.7%).

For the second game in a row, junior forward Katie McCants (Menasha, WI/Menasha) scored 16 points, one short of her season-high. McCants knocked down all eight attempts from the free throw line, making her a perfect 16-of-16 in two games this week, and also led the team with eight rebounds.

Guard Jenni Klusman (New Berlin, WI/New Berlin West) scored 10 points to reach double figures for the ninth time this season. The 5'3" senior captain also matched a career-high with five rebounds.

Both teams connected on 23 field goal attempts, with five of the Foresters' and two of the Prairie Fire's baskets coming from beyond the three-point arc. Lake Forest held a significant edge in free throws, shooting 21-of-30 (70%) from the line compared to Knox, who shot just 6-of-10. The Foresters pulled down three more rebounds (36-33) and committed five fewer turnovers (29-24) in the winning effort.

Things started out well for the home team, who took an early six-point lead (9-3). A 16-1 run by Knox, however, gave the visitors a nine-point advantage with 12 minutes to play in the first half. Trailing 27-22 with seven minutes remaining in the period, the Foresters began a 9-0 run that gave them a lead they would never relinquish. A 7-2 run to close out the half put Lake Forest ahead 42-33 at intermission.

With 16 minutes to go in the game, the Foresters began a streak of 11 consecutive points that turned an eight-point lead into an insurmountable 19-point cushion. The margin fluctuated between 15 and 23 points the rest of the way.

Lake Forest (16-5, 11-4 MWC) will play a non-conference game on Wednesday (February 13th) at home against Trinity International University. Next Saturday (February 16th), the Foresters will conclude their regular season schedule by hosting Grinnell College (0-18, 0-14).

Box Score