Saturday afternoon, the Charger women's basketball team took on Nationally Ranked #8 Lake Land from Illinois, falling 82-53. The Lakers have National Tournament aspirations this season, and they came in and set the tone from the tip.

The Lakers capitalized on several first half Charger turnovers, getting out in transition and scoring quickly most possessions. Lake Land took a comfortable 51-25 lead into the locker room at the half.

The Chargers came out with a lot more urgency in the second half, even winning the fourth quarter on the scoreboard, 14-10. Freshmen wings Bella Mahan and De'Mour Watson each scored 10 points during the second half surge.

Watson led MUAC in scoring with 14 points and 9 rebounds, including a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe. Mahan added 13 points, including four 3-pointers, while Freshman guard Nasiya Gause also score in double-figures with 11 points. As for the Lakers, they also placed three players in double-digits. Freshman guard Charleece Davis led all players with a near triple-double of 15 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists, while Sophomore wing Isabella Hardiek and Freshman forward Kaylee Niebrugge scored a dozen points each.

MUAC Head Coach Ryan Gould was disappointed with the first half effort, but seemed encouraged by what came over the final 20 minutes, "We had too many turnovers and quick shots against a team who is good at converting in transition. It seemed like every shot they got in the first half was wide open. In the second half, I felt like we played with more effort, especially defensively, and we made it much tougher on them to score. We just can't give up 51 points in a half at this level."

The Chargers are back in action Monday, November 6, as they travel to Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, to take on the Lancer JV team. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET. If you can make it over there, please come out and support your Chargers!!