Short-handed Vikings fall at Beloit

BELOIT, Wis. — A short-handed Lawrence University women’s basketball team dropped a 77-55 Midwest Conference decision to Beloit College on Saturday at Flood Arena.

Lawrence (0-21, 0-16 MWC), playing without starters Nakita Chadwick and Kanesha Walker due to injury and a death in the family, were led by Cathy Kaye’s 13 points. Cory Paquette added 11 points and Alex Deshler and Katie Van Es had nine points apiece.

Diana Sopkowicz posted a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds for Beloit (8-13, 6-10). Sopkowicz was 11-for-12 from the floor.

Lawrence came out of the gate strong and led 12-11 on Paquette’s layup with 13:23 left in the opening half. Beloit then scored the game’s next 13 points to take a 24-12 lead with 7:39 remaining in the half. Kandace Fox scored four points during the run for the Bucs.

Paquette helped the Vikings battle back as she scored five points over the next five minutes to help cut the lead to 28-22 with 2:06 left. The Bucs then scored the final six points of the first half to take a 34-22 lead at the break.

After Lawrence scored the first two points of the second half, Beloit went on a 12-2 run to take a 46-26 lead with 15:33 left. Lawrence didn’t get any closer than 16 points the rest of the way.

Lawrence returns faces Ripon College on Wednesday in its final home game of the season.

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