It was a fitting ending for Nytes on "Senior Day," which also honored teammates Rian Bauerkemper and Melissa Zimme.
After trailing by nine with under ten minutes remaining in the first period, sophomore Kelli Matya, hit a three-pointer which capped a 14-0 Edgewood run and gave the Eagles a five-point lead. The Warriors fought back, however, with under ten seconds remaining in the half when Alaina Miller drilled a three-pointer to bring them to within one point at the half.
It was Wisconsin Lutheran again in the second half that climbed out to a early lead, but Rochelle Francois’ three-pointer with just under eight minutes remaining in regulation capped a 10-0 Eagle run and gave them a one-point advantage.
With a minute left in regulation, Wisconsin Lutheran’s Whitney Miller brought the Warriors to within one, but Edgewood’s Megan Scheele extended the lead to three points after she added two of her team-high 15 points on a layup. After a missed free-throw by the Warriors, Nytes came down with the rebound and was fouled and sent to the line where she was successful on both free-throws, which iced the Eagle victory.
Scheele and Jordane Kittoe shared the team-lead by scoring 15 points each as Scheele collected her eighth double-double of the season by grabbing 12 rebounds. Wisconsin Lutheran was led by Emily Laete who scored 14 points.
Edgewood entered the game with a record of 0-9 when scoring under 60 points in a game this season as well as 2-7 when shooting below 40-percent from the field -- they shot just 33.3 percent on Saturday, and 29.6 percent in the second half.
With the victory, Edgewood College moves into a three-way tie for second place in the LMC. The Eagles are also guaranteed at least a No. 3 seed and home game in the LMC Tournament, which begins Friday, Feb. 17. Edgewood can receive as high as a No. 2 seed, but would have to win at Marian College on Tuesday and hope for a Wisconsin Lutheran victory at Concordia University. However, if Wisconsin Lutheran defeats Concordia and Edgewood loses to the Sabres, then Edgewood would drop to a No. 5 seed by virtue of the league's tie-breaking procedures.