Foresters Win Twice at UW-La Crosse’s Thanksgiving Classic
Lake Forest defeats Finlandia University and UW-La Crosse

Paige Keasler

Senior Nicole Baich (Westchester, Ill./Nazareth Academy) led the Foresters with 16 points and 10 rebounds against Finlandia. It was the 11th double-double of her career. Sophomores Lisa Nassin (Evergreen Park, Ill./Evergreen Park) and Paige Keasler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) also reached double figures with 11 points apiece. Keasler shot 3-for-3 from three-point range while establishing a new career-high in scoring. Sophomore Claire Schmidt (Kankakee, Ill./Bishop McNamara) led the team with five assists and freshman Sherrie Dubinski (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey) with four steals.

The Foresters shot 37.8 percent from the field, 8-for-27 (29.6%) from three-point range, and 15-for-23 (65.2%) from the free throw line. The Lions made 34.8 percent of their field goal attempts, missed each of the four three-point efforts, and shot 12-for-18 (66.7%) from the line. Lake Forest out-rebounded Finlandia 56-32 and committed 15 turnovers while forcing 32.

Lake Forest led 7-0 and later used a 12-0 run to take a 22-3 advantage. The difference grew to as many as 20 points in the first half and a 25-3 Forester run in the second extended the margin to 40.

Senior Beth Lucas (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey) paced the Forester with 14 points against La Crosse. Sophomore Tracy Rainey (Roselle, Ill./Lake Park) added a dozen and Schmidt 11. The three combined to shoot 12-for-21 from the field and 12-for-15 from the foul line. Rainey led the squad with seven rebounds, Dubinski with five assists, and Nassin with a career-high four steals.

The Foresters shot 50 percent from the field and three-point range (5-for-10) and 71.4 percent (20-for-28) from the foul line. The Eagles connected on 37.3 percent of their field goal attempts, one of three shots from beyond the arc, and all but two of 18 free throws. The home team held a slight 36-33 edge in rebounds but committed 23 of the game’s 44 turnovers.

Lake Forest led by as many as eight (20-12) in the first half but trailed 32-31 at intermission. The Foresters were behind by seven (43-36) before scoring 18 of the game’s next 21 points to pull ahead by eight. After an Eagle three-point play, a 17-4 Forester run put the game out of reach.

The Foresters will begin Midwest Conference play at home next weekend (November 30-December 1). The team will host Lawrence University Friday night at 5:30 and Beloit College Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Lake Forest - Finlandia Box Score
Lake Forest - La Crosse Box Score