SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - The 18th-ranked and second seed Lawrence Technological (Mich.) University women's basketball team defeated the seventh seed University of Northwestern Ohio 56-44 in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) quarterfinal game at Don Ridler Field House on Thursday night.
The Blue Devils now face the third seed Madonna (Mich.) University in the WHAC semifinal game on Saturday, February 27.
Lawrence Tech (23-3, 19-3 WHAC) struggled to start the game as they trailed 9-0 after the first quarter, but a 27-6 fourth quarter gave Lawrence Tech the win.
The Blue Devils used a 19-10 run to tie the game at 19-19 at halftime. Trailing 11-2 to open the second, the Blue Devils went on a 14-3 run to take a 16-14 lead with 2:29 left in the half. The teams traded three's in the final minute to make it 19-19.
In the third quarter, UNOH took an eight point lead 32-24 with 4:03 left in the quarter. Lawrence Tech trailed 37-29 heading into the fourth quarter. LTU opened the fourth on a 13-3 run to take a 42-40 lead with 5:44 left in the game and ended the game on a 12-4 run to move on to the semifinal of the WHAC tournament, 56-44.
Jazmine Brown (SR/Chesterfield, MI) led the way for the Blue Devils with 14 points, six rebounds, five blocks, and two assists. Hali Butler (SR/Fairport Harbor, OH) added 10 points - all in the fourth quarter - and added nine rebounds. Autumn Whirley (FR/Eaton, Ohio) sank three three's as she finished with 10 points, 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, three rebounds, and a block. Nicole Buckingham (FR/Saginaw, Mich.) added eight points, three rebounds, and two steals.
Lawrence Tech hosts third seed Madonna (Mich.) University on Saturday, February 27 at Don Ridler Field House. Tip is set for 1 p.m.
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WHAC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
First Round, Thursday, Feb 25
#1 Davenport (25-5, 20-2) def. #8 Concordia (15-16, 9-13), 75-50
#4 Indiana Tech (21-10, 16-6) def. #5 Cornerstone (17-13, 14-8), 68-58
#3 Madonna (17-10, 16-6) def. #6 Siena Heights (19-12, 13-9) , 81-76
#2 Lawrence Tech (23-3, 19-3) def. #7 Northwestern Ohio (13-18, 10-12), 54-44
Semifinals, Saturday, Feb. 27
#4 Indiana Tech (21-10) at #1 Davenport (25-5), TBA
#3 Madonna (17-10) at #2 Lawrence Tech (23-3), 1 p.m.
Championship, Tuesday, March 1
at higher seed
