APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University basketball teams are both in action before we ring in the new year. The Lawrence women travel to Winona, Minn., for a nonconference game at St. Mary’s University, and the Lawrence men face a pair of Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foes. The Vikings take on No. 16 UW-Whitewater and UW-Stout on a neutral court in Wisconsin Dells.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (2-6)
Opponent: Lawrence at St. Mary’s University (7-3)
When and Where: Thursday, Dec. 29, 5 p.m., St. Mary’s Gymnasium, Winona, Minn.
Webcast/Live Stats: Lawrence at St. Mary’s
The Series: This is the second meeting between the team and St. Mary’s posted a 73-49 victory in the first game, which took place at Alexander Gymnasium during the 2015-16 season.
Fast Fact: Lawrence played some pretty solid basketball in its two games in Florida, with the exception of a stretch of less than four minutes in both games. The Vikings gave up big scoring runs in the second quarter of each game, but the games were virtually even for the other 36 minutes. Sophomore Leah Reeves and senior Aubrey Scott both posted career scoring highs in Florida. Reeves went off for 24 points against Widener, and Scott poured in 17 against Randolph.
MEN’S BASKETBALL (2-4)
Opponent: Lawrence vs. No. 16 UW-Whitewater (9-0)
When and Where: Thursday, Dec. 29, 7 p.m., Just A Game Field House, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Webcast: Lawrence vs. UW-Whitewater
The Series: In a series that dates all the way back to 1915, Lawrence holds a 2-1 advantage. The teams played twice back in 1915, including a 51-1 Lawrence victory, but have met just once in the modern era. Whitewater topped the Vikings 73-56 during the 2013-14 season.
Opponent: Lawrence vs. UW-Stout (6-2)
When and Where: Friday, Dec. 30, 5 p.m., Just A Game Field House, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Webcast: Lawrence vs. UW-Stout
The Series: Lawrence won the only meeting between the teams and that was a 42-39 victory way back in 1938.
Fast Fact: Mother Nature gave the Vikings an 18-day break between games when their Dec. 17 game at MSOE was postponed due to a snowstorm. No make-up has yet been set. Senior forward Mitch Willer has saved his best season for last. Willer, coming off career highs of 30 points and 15 rebounds vs. Grinnell, ranks 11th in the Midwest Conference in scoring at 15.8 points per game. He is second in shooting at 67.7 percent, third in rebounding at 8.2 per game and first in blocks at 2.2 per contest.