DE PERE - St. Norbert College opened its season and the Nicolet National Bank Tip-Off Tournament with a 74-63 win over Lawrence University on Connie Tilley Court at Mulva Sports Center.
The Green Knights trailed for most of the first quarter, but St. Norbert tied it 14-14 when
Lindsey Lettner was fouled at the buzzer on a three-point field-goal attempt and she converted all three free throws.
St. Norbert continued its run when Lettner opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer, and
Kaycee Gierczak and
Emma Morrisey hit hoops for a 21-14 lead with 7:22 left in the period. Lawrence would cut the deficit down to two points five times, but an
Olivia DeCleene 3-pointer and a Morrisey free throw put St. Norbert ahead 35-29 at halftime.
St. Norbert led 37-34 early in the third quarter before going on a 9-0 run to take a 46-34 lead. Morrisey hit a trey and a pair of free throws, and
Casey Jepson had a basket and two free throws during the run. Lawrence would cut the deficit back down to 54-48 at the end of the third quarter. The Vikings trailed 54-53 with 8:13 to go, but St. Norbert responded with a 13-3 run over the next 5:17 to lead 67-56.
The Green Knights shot 39.7 percent from the floor, making 23 of 58 field-goal attempts. DeCleene had 16 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals with no turnovers in 38 minutes.
Kaycee Gierczak had 17 points and eight rebounds, while Morrisey had 14 points and six caroms.
Lawrence shot 40.4 percent (23-for-57) from the floor. Mallory Meyer had 18 points, while Emma Carlson had 11 points and 13 rebounds. Delaney Brooks added 11 points.
