Lakers Sail Past Trojans In CCAC Romp

DEERFIELD, Ill. – Roosevelt scored the first 15 points in the game and never looked back in cruising to an 82-48 win over Trinity International on Saturday afternoon in Deerfield.

The Lakers (9-13, 7-10 CCAC) came out on a mission defensively and made life difficult for the Trojans for the entire first quarter. Trinity International didn't score its first points until 2:24 were left on the clock and didn't score its first basket for more than a minute after those shutout-busting opening free throws. Meanwhile, Roosevelt's offense hummed along with Amelia McNutt scoring six points and grabbing six rebounds in the first quarter while Jayla Turchin added seven points and three boards.

That opening run set the entire tone for the game as the Lakers made the game difficult for the Trojans in every capacity. Roosevelt held Trinity International to just 26 percent shooting in the game, forced 26 turnovers from the Trojans and outrebounded them 42-27. The only place the Trojans had an edge was at the free-throw stripe, where they shot 17 of 23, sinking more free throws than Roosevelt even attempted in the game (14).

McNutt's first-quarter performance buoyed one of her best all-around games of the season, and earned her the first double-double of her career. The graduate student guard scored 14 points, grabbed a career-best 11 boards and even added four steals to lead the Lakers all over the court. McNutt was an efficient 5 of 8 from the floor, knocking down 3 of 4 from behind the arc and the only free throw she attempted.

All five starters for the Lakers finished with at least three assists, led by five from Turchin, and four of the five starters finished in double figures scoring. The exception was Erionna Moore, who scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds in the victory. Gabby Beggs led the way with 16 points for the Lakers on 7 of 11 shooting in one of the more balanced efforts of the season for Roosevelt. Meghan Urbanski added 12 points and Chyna Scott scored 10 off the bench to go along with her five rebounds.

After jumping out to a 16-point lead after the first quarter, Roosevelt increased the lead to 28 late in the second quarter. Trinity International made a small run against the reserves to close the deficit to 17 at halftime, but that was as close as it would get the rest of the game. The Lakers went on a 13-0 run in the middle of the third quarter over a four-minute stretch to increase the lead to 30. Then Roosevelt turned to its reserves in the fourth quarter to seal out the win with a 10-7 victory in the final 10 minutes.

Abby Nelson continued her impeccable ability to draw fouls, sinking four of her five free throws to set a new career best with four points. The junior is now 1 for 22 in her career from the field but a remarkable 7 of 8 from the foul line.

The Lakers take a break from CCAC play for the final time this season Wednesday when they host Grace Christian at the Goodman Center for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff in a game rescheduled from January 7.