Luther Prep defeat HCS in opener

Friday, November 21, 2008 11:34 PM CST

MILWAUKEE - Junior guard Lydia Free scored seven of her team-high 16 points in the third quarter as Luther Prep broke open a close game at halftime to win 56-43 over nonconference host Heritage Christian Friday.

The Phoenix trailed 15-7 to start the game and labored through foul trouble as junior guards Maddy Scott and Laura Sauer had to sit portions of the first two quarters.

Luther Prep battled back to trail 25-24 at halftime, then outscored the host Patriots 18-3 in the third quarter to take control. Sophomore wing Marah Kiecker scored three of her eight points while Scott scored four of her five points during the big run.

“We started off in foul trouble,” Luther Prep girls basketball coach Randy Mensching said.

“Overall, for our first game, the girls handled their composure and weathered the storm early and then in the third quarter we came out strong. Marah Kiecker hit a couple key shots in the second quarter. We had nice contributions from our whole bench. Bethany Schultz came in and played tough defense on (their point guard).”

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Heritage Christian senior point guard Dilonna Johnson led all scorers with 21 points.

Junior post Hannah Rothe added nine points and eight rebounds for the Phoenix. Free added three steals and Schultz added three assists.

“I was pleased with our first game, since we lost a lot of seniors to graduation. A lot of girls stepped up and played their roles.”

Luther Prep travels to play Greendale Martin Luther on Monday.

LUTHER PREP 56,

HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 43

Luther Prep 5 19 18 14 - 56

Her. Christian 11 14 3 15 - 43

Luther Prep (fg-ft-tp) - L. Free 3-10-16, Rothe 3-3-9, Kiecker 3-0-8, Crass 3-0-6, Scharf 1-2-4, Hein 2-0-4, Scott 1-3-5, Schultz 0-3-3, Sauer 0-1-1. Totals 16 22-37 56.

Heritage Christian (fg-ft-tp) -Johnson 8-1-21, Theisen 4-0-8, Barnett 2-0-4, Hintze 1-1-3, Drout 1-1-3, Wood 1-0-2, Hicks 1-0-2. Totals 18 3-11 43.

Three-point goals - LP Kiecker (2); HC Johnson (4).

Total fouls - LP 14, HC 23.

Fouled out - Johnson (HC), Wood (HC).