Lakers Overwhelm Trolls To Extend Winning Streak

CHICAGO – Roosevelt used a complete team effort to win its third Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference contest in a row with a 70-49 triumph over Trinity Christian on Saturday afternoon at the Goodman Center.

Kristen Keys scored 12 points in her return from injury to lead four Lakers who finished in double figures. Overall, seven of the nine players who suited up for the Lakers (4-7, 3-2 CCAC) on Saturday finished with at least seven points. Marie Outlay and Jayla Turchin each added 11 points while Grace Beyer contributed 10 in what was an offensive struggle statistically for Roosevelt.

However, the Lakers made the details count with a 43-32 edge on rebounds, including 22 offensive rebounds that led to 29 second-chance points. Roosevelt also forced 29 turnovers out of Trinity Christian and turned those into 31 points for itself. The Lakers also assisted on 23 of their 28 made baskets, showing their ability to make the extra pass to find open shooters.

Roosevelt led from basically the opening jump after Malou Savanna splashed a 3-pointer 25 seconds into the game. The Lakers built their lead to as many as 13 in the first quarter as they nearly doubled the Trolls in shot attempts through the opening 10 minutes. That figure was even more skewed in the second quarter as the Lakers extended their lead out to as many as 20 shortly before the intermission. The second half was a bit more balanced on the scoreboard, though Roosevelt did win all four quarters in the game.

Saturday's victory continues a magical December run for Roosevelt that began last season in coach Deon Thomas' first year in charge. The Lakers are now 7-0 in the final month of the year under Thomas with one more game left in the 2023 calendar year. That streak will be tested though in that final game this year as the Lakers travel on Dec. 29 to No. 22 Grand View for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff in Des Moines, Iowa.