In a game of runs, the Lakeland women's basketball team (NJCAA #20) defeated the Schoolcraft Ocelots (NJCAA #15) by a score of 69-66 in the semi-finals of the Division II Great Lakes District A tournament. With the win, the Lakers overall record is now 22-3. Lakeland jumped out to a 10-0 lead to start the game as they were firing on all cylinders early. The Lakers continued to play well and led 27-11 after one quarter of play. The key to the quarter was the strong finish as Zion Fussell connected on back to back 3-pointers in the last minute of the period. The second quarter saw the Ocelots start to gain their balance and cut into the lead. However, the Lakers were always able to answer and maintained a 36-24 edge at the break. Madison Fueger had 10 points and 5 rebounds after the first half while Lauren Perry added 10 points and 4 rebounds. Zion Fussell and Gianna Pegoraro each went into the break with 7 points. The 3rd quarter was a difficult one for the Lakers as Schoolcraft came all the way back and actually held a 48-47 lead at the end of 3 quarters. The Ocelots took advantage of the Lakers cold shooting and some untimely turnovers. Schoolcraft gained the lead with 4.3 seconds on a 3-pointer. This set the stage for an epic 4th quarter.

Schoolcraft started the period connecting on 1-2 free throws to gain a 49-47 lead before Zion Fussell scored on a layup to tie the score at 49. After a Lakeland miss, the Ocelots scored a layup to regain a 51-49 lead. On the Lakers next possession, Makayla Gordon grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a layup to knot the score at 51. The Ocelots then came down and threw up an off-balance bank shot that found its way in to give them a 54-51 lead. Schoolcraft then took advantage of a Laker turnover and scored to grow their lead to 56-51. On the Lakers next possession, Zion Fussell connected on another 3-pointer to cut the lead to 56-54 with 6:07 to play. Schoolcraft would score the next 4 points after a Laker foul and turnover to make the score 60-54 in favor of the Ocelots. Madison Fueger answered on Lakeland's next possession as she hit a turnaround 6-foot jumper in the paint. After a Schoolcraft miss, Fueger would grab an offensive rebound and a score on a quick putback to put the Lakers only down by 2 with 3:50 to play. Schoolcraft would increase their lead to 62-58 after scoring on an offensive rebound. Lakeland would then cut the lead to 1 after Fueger drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Schoolcraft connected on 2 free throws to push their lead to 64-61 with 2:05 to play. After both teams missed on their next possessions, Lakers Gianna Pegoraro would connct on a jumper to cut the Ocelot lead to 64-63 with 24.4 seconds to play. After a timeout, the Lakers would force a turnover and Pegoraro fed Fueger for a layup and a 65-64 Laker advantage with 23 seconds to play. The Lakers would then force an Ocelot turnover and Schoolcraft would then foul Gianna Pegoraro. Pegoraro stepped to the line and calmly sank them both to give the Lakers a 67-64 lead with 12.7 seconds to play. Schoolcraft would miss a contested 3-pointer, but would grab the offensive rebound and score an uncontested layup as the Lakers did not want to foul. The Lakers would then inbound the ball to Pegoraro and she was fouled again. With 4.3 seconds to play, Pegoraro drained them both to ice the Lakers win.

The Lakers finished with 4 players scoring in double digits. Madison Fueger ended her day with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Gianna Pegoraro added 17 points and 6 boards while Zion fussell chipped in 14 points and 3 rebounds. Lauren Perry finished her afternoon with 12 points. Perry also added 6 rebounds and 4 steals for the Lakers. Alesia Marshall added 7 assists in the Lakers win.

Next Up: The Lakers will play the winner of Ancilla College Marian University and Mid-Michigan College on Saturday (3/11) at 3:00 pm.  All games are held at Mott Community College in Flint, MI. The winner of saturday's game advances to the NJCAA Division II National basketball tournament in Port huron, MI.

To view the women's games, go to: http://www.njcaaregion12.org/tournaments/wbkb2A/2022-23/index#tournament-central  and select the game you wish to view.