Foresters Stay in Hunt for First Place with Victories at Beloit and Lawrence
Nicole Baich records fourth double-double of the season on Saturday

Claire Schmidt

Nicole Baich

Sophomore forward Claire Schmidt (Kankakee, Ill./Bishop McNamara) was Lake Forest’s scoring leader for the third straight game on Friday. She finished with 14 points and also led the squad with three assists and a career-high five steals. Senior guard Eileen Walsh (Hickory Hills, Ill./Amos Alonzo Stagg) scored 11 points and senior center Nicole Baich (Westchester, Ill./Nazareth Academy) had 10 to go with a team-high eight rebounds.

The Foresters shot 41.1 percent from the field, 5-for-21 from three-point range, and 11-for-17 from the free throw line. The Buccaneers made just 31.7 percent of their field goal attempts, including six of 16 from beyond the arc, and knocked down all but four of 18 foul shots. Beloit held a 41-38 edge in rebounds but committed 15 turnovers while forcing just 13 Lake Forest miscues.

The visitors led by as many as eight points in the first period and 33-28 at halftime. The Foresters scored the first eight point of the second half to take a game-high 13-point lead but the Bucs cut it back down to six with seven straight points of their own. A 15-2 Beloit run later in the half gave the home team a 54-52 lead with 3:48 remaining in the game. The Beloit led 58-57 before a Schmidt jumper gave the advantage back to Lake Forest with just over a minute to play. After a turnover, Lake Forest ran down the clock and Schmidt clinched the win with another basket with 18 seconds left.

Baich led the Foresters with 19 points and 10 rebounds at Lawrence. It was her fourth double-double of the season and 14th of her career. Senior guard Beth Lucas (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey) was the only other Lake Forest player in double figures with 15 points and she led the squad with three steals. Schmidt scored nine points and chipped in with three assists and a pair of blocked shots.

The Foresters shot 40.7 percent from the field, 5-for-14 from long-range, and 18-for-31 from the line. The Vikings were 41.5 percent from the floor, 3-for-7 from three-point range, and 23-for-32 at the foul line. Lake Forest was slightly out-rebounded 36-35 but committed 20 turnovers while forcing 29.

A 13-2 run late in the first half gave the visitors a 10-point advantage and they led 33-27 at halftime. Lawrence pulled to within five points twice and the Foresters led by as many as 17 in the second half.

Lake Forest will travel to Illinois College on Wednesday (February 13) for a 5:30 tip-off before hosting Grinnell College on Senior and Alumni Day next Saturday (February 16).

Lake Forest - Beloit Box Score
Lake Forest - Lawrence Box Score