The Lawrence University women’s basketball team saw their season end without a win after falling to St. Norbert College 94-43 last Saturday afternoon at Schulde Sports Center.
The Vikings were stunned out of the gate by the Green Knights’ defensive intensity and depth at nearly every position. St. Norbert began the game by marching out to a commanding 24-0 lead as the Vikings failed to score for the first eight minutes of the game. After shooting an icy percent from the floor for the first half, the Vikings entered halftime trailing 46-16.
The Vikings made no significant attempt at a comeback, shooting just 28.1 percent in the second half as St. Norbert stretched its lead to more than 50 points. Cathy Kaye and Katie Van Es led Lawrence with 11 and 10 points respectively, but the Green Knights had four players in double figures.
The final score of 94-43 marked the end of a strong regular season for conference-leading St. Norbert (21-2, 17-1 MWC), as well as the end of a highly disappointing campaign for Lawrence (0-23, 0-18 MWC). Injuries and a lack of depth made it very difficult for the Vikings to compete with their conference opponents.
The Vikings will look to improve on their performance next season with the help of a strong recruiting class. With two key players — Katie Van Es and Kanesha Walker — lost to graduation, the Vikings’ eight returning players and new recruits will join a yet-to-be-chosen new head coach in Lawrence’s quest to earn its first conference win since January 2008.