APPLETON, Wis. — Chris Siebert poured in 30 points to lead the Lawrence University men’s basketball team to a 92-77 nonconference victory over Wisconsin Lutheran College in the season opener for both teams.
Siebert, a senior guard, hit 11 of 15 shots from the floor, including 4 of 7 from 3-point range. Siebert, who matched the career high for points he set last season at Monmouth College, also had three rebounds, four assists and a steal.
All five starters scored in double figures for Lawrence (1-0), and the starters combined to shoot 30-for-50 (60 percent) from the floor. Ryan DePouw added 14 points for the Vikings, and Jamie Nikitas had 12 points, a game-high nine rebounds and a game-high seven steals. Brian Gryszkiewicz also had 12 points, and Davis DeWolfe had 11.
Jake Jarnigo led Wisconsin Lutheran (0-1) with 25 points and eight rebounds.
The Warriors led only once in the first half, by one point, and Lawrence got a jumper from Siebert to post a 41-36 lead at the break.
The Vikings pulled away early in the second half with a 7-0 run to push the advantage to 53-44 with 16:26 remaining. Lawrence then went on another 7-0 spurt, capped by DeWolfe’s 3-pointer, to build a 65-49 lead with 13:30 left.
Lawrence maintained that advantage for the rest of the game. The Vikings led by as many as 22 points and never led by less than 14 points the rest of the way.
Lawrence is back in action on Saturday when the Vikings travel to No. 4 UW-Stevens Point.