The LU women’s basketball team used tough defense and forward Kelly Mulcahy’s strongest game of the year to beat the Beloit Buccaneers on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Mulcahy proved to be too much in the paint, posting her first double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The junior easily gained position and got good looks at the basket throughout the game. Freshman guard Jen Gabriele had a hot hand and provided 13 points and a season high four steals.
Forward Molly Bouressa got the Vikes going early, assisting on the first two Viking baskets by Mulcahy and Gabriele. Bouressa erased the Viking’s last deficit with 11:29 to play in the first half and later hit the team’s last shot before half giving them a 30-23 lead.
The senior from Kaukauna finished with seven rebounds, six points, two assists and two steals in only 23 minutes of play. Not stopping there, she also drew three offensive fouls.
Beloit chipped away in the second half, cutting the lead to 41-40 with 9:09 left. Mulcahy then added a lay-up before Gabriele hit a three-pointer and a pair of free throws pushing the lead back to 48-41.
Down the stretch it was Mulcahy and guard Jenny Stoner each hitting four free throws in the last two and a half minutes to seal the game.
Stoner played 34 full minutes of feverish defense to go along with her 12 points and three rebounds. She disrupted the Beloit offense and hounded ball carriers all night long. Behind a strong team effort, this win improves Lawrence’s conference record to 4-0.
Amy Proctor and the Vikes have beaten the Buccaneers five straight times and have taken 15 of the last 17 meetings.
They are in action again at 5:30 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 12 in Grinnell. Tickets are still available.
Mulcahy’s Double-Double fuels Vikes against Beloit
