SYLVANIA, Ohio - The Lawrence Technological (Mich.) University women's basketball team defeated Lourdes (Ohio) University 77-63 behind 40 combined points from Nicole Buckingham (SO/Saginaw, Mich.) and Hayley Walkowski (JR/Marshall, MI).

Lawrence Tech (15-11, 11-9) jumped out to an early 18-15 lead as the first quarter went back-and-forth with seven lead changes in the opening 10 minutes as the Blue Devils were able to close the quarter 6-2 run. Walkowski and Christina Henry (SR/Lansing, Mich.) both hit a pair of free throws to end the first to give LTU a three-point lead.

The Blue Devils extended the lead to 20-15, but Lourdes (7-21, 5-15) battled back to take a 32-27 lead into halftime. Walkowski and Buckingham finished the first half with five points each while Henry, Cherilyn Banas (SO/Oxford, Mich.), and Danielle Hanson (FR/East Lansing, Mich.) each scored four points. Elayna Ackerman led Lourdes with seven points in the opening 20 minutes.

Lourdes opened the third quarter with a quick layup from Jesse Fidler to give Lourdes a 34-29 lead, but back-to-back layups from Buckingham and a three from Maegan Branham (SR/Michigan Center, MI) tied the game at 36 with 6:58 left in the third. The Blue Devils than went on a 14-6 run to take a 50-42 lead following a Hanson jumper with 2:28 remaining in the quarter. LTU took a 52-46 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Lawrence Tech was able to maintain its lead throughout the fourth quarter to come away with a 77-63 win. Buckingham led the way with 24 points and nine rebounds while Walkowski added 16 points and two steals in the win.

The Blue Devils are back on the court Wednesday, February 15 when they visit Ann Arbor, Mich. to face Concordia (Mich.) University - Ann Arbor. Opening tip is set for 5:30 p.m.

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