CHICAGO – Roosevelt came out on the short end of a defensive tussle Saturday at the Goodman Center as Maryville grinded out a 52-38 win over the Lakers.
Neither team came close to shooting 40 percent in the game as the Lakers held the Saints to just 35.6 percent from the floor. However, Roosevelt's only lead came 15 seconds into the game when Kelly Boyle sank a pair of free throws after Maryville committed a flagrant foul while chasing a rebound. The Lakers (0-2) finished at just 23.6 percent from the floor, including 3 of 28 from behind the arc, in what was a rough day for offense in general.
Isabella Pitta scored nine points to top the Lakers in the scoring column while Marie Outlay added eight points. The duo combined for six of Roosevelt's 13 made field goals in the game and helped keep the Lakers in striking distance for as long as they were.
Roosevelt made just 4 of 17 shots in the opening quarter yet only trailed 15-14 after 10 minutes because it made 4 of 6 at the free throw line. Yet, the Lakers made just five free throws the rest of the way and made just one 3-pointer in the final three quarters of action. The deficit was in the single digits at halftime despite the Lakers scored just three points in the second quarter, a credit to the defense, which held Maryville to 23 percent shooting in the period.
The swarming Lakers defense did force 23 turnovers, including five steals from Outlay, who has continued her strong start defensively. Roosevelt also held a 40-27 edge in rebounding, including a 16-5 advantage on the offensive glass, turning those into nine second-chance points. Pitta led the Lakers with nine boards in the game and also recorded Roosevelt's only block in the game.
Prior to the game, Roosevelt honored Kencia Levasseur as the program's only senior on Senior Day. Dubbed K Day by the team, Levasseur finished with five points, two assists and two steals on her special afternoon of celebration.
UP NEXT: The Lakers are off on their first road trip of the season as they head to Canton, Ohio to face Malone and Walsh on consecutive days.
