ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 24-ranked Lawrence Technological (Mich.) University women's basketball team defeated [RV] Concordia (Mich.) University - Ann Arbor 78-68 on Wednesday night in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Lawrence Tech (8-1, 4-0) continued its strong start as they won their fourth straight game in conference behind 28 points from Nicole Buckingham (JR/Saginaw, Mich.). The Blue Devils led at the break, 32-31, but Concordia battled back in the third quarter to take a 42-37 lead with 3:34 on the clock.

The Blue Devils followed with a 10-1 run to take a 47-43 lead after a Kaitlyn Smith (SO/Holly, Mich.) three with 1:44 remaining in the quarter. The Cardinals fought back to tie the game at 47-47, but again the Lawrence Tech responded with a 4-0 mini-run to end the third up 51-47.

Concordia (6-3, 3-2) was able to cut the LTU lead to one at 63-62 with 4:10 left in the game. The Blue Devils closed the game on a 15-6 run as they hit 9-of-10 free throws in the final minute to seal the 10-point win, 78-68. Lawrence Tech shot just 35.4 percent from the field, but went 26-for-30 from the line.

The Blue Devils held the Cardinals to just 34.8 percent from the field who finished with 12 turnovers. LTU outrebounded Concordia 47-43 as Danielle Hanson (SO/East Lansing, Mich.) recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Hayley Walkowski (SR/Marshall, MI) finished the game with 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting including 8-for-9 from the line. Cherilyn Banas (JR/Oxford, Mich.) added four points and a team high five assists.

Lawrence Tech is back on the court Saturday, Dec. 2 when they host WHAC newcomer Rochester (Mich.) College at 1 p.m. at Don Ridler Field House in Southfield, Mich.

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