WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The No. 22-ranked Lawrence Technological (Mich.) University women's basketball team defeated Keiser (Fla.) University 82-77 at the Student Life Center in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Lawrence Tech (11-3, 6-2) trailed 7-4 early, but a 12-2 run put the Blue Devils up 16-9 with 3:02 left in the first quarter. Keiser battled back to tied it at 17-17 as the Seahawks hit a three-pointer to end the first quarter.
The Blue Devils opened the second quarter with a 10-1 run to take a 27-18 lead after Hayley Walkowski (SR/Marshall, MI) hit a three with 7:04 left in the half. Keiser cut it back down to four with a quick three and jumper, but Lawrence Tech responded with another run headlined by six points from Walkowski to put the Blue Devils up 37-23. Lawrence Tech ended the second quarter with a three from Kaitlyn Smith (SO/Holly, Mich.) to take a 40-27 lead into halftime. Walkowski finished the first half with 19 points while Nicole Buckingham (JR/Saginaw, Mich.) added 11 points.
In the second half, the Blue Devils built a 17 point lead in the third quarter. Teryn Kline (FR/Fort Wayne, IN) scored five straight points at one point to put LTU up 54-39 with 4:13 on the clock. Hope Dollarhide (SO/Dorr, Mich.) hit two free-throws to give the Blue Devils the 56-39 lead. Lawrence Tech closed the quarter with a 64-48 lead as Dollarhide's jumper was good at the buzzer.
Keiser (4-10) trailed the Blue Devils by 19 to open the fourth quarter as Walkowski drained a three 14 seconds into the fourth. The Seahawks did not wilt though, battling back to within four points, 81-77, with 16 seconds left in the game as Donivan Dyson nailed a three. Walkowski was fouled on the next possession and went 1-for-2 from the line to secure an 82-77 win at Keiser.
The win is the first for Lawrence Tech head coach Kylene Spiegel over her former head coach Pam Oswald. Spiegel played for Oswald at Tiffin (Ohio) University and started her coaching career under Oswald as a graduate assisant at Tiffin.
Walkowski led the way for LTU with 28 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Buckingham added 18 points, six steals, four assists, and four rebounds. Cherilyn Banas (JR/Oxford, Mich.) set five career marks in tonights game as she grabbed a career high 12 rebounds, 10 assists, eight defensive rebounds, six free-throw attempts, and four offensive rebounds.
Lawrence Tech is back on the court tomorrow at the Student Life Center when they face Thomas (Ga.) University at Keiser. Opening tip is set for 7 p.m.
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