PAINESVILLE, Ohio – The Lake Erie College women's basketball team opened its 2026-27 season in dominant fashion on Monday, November 9, defeating Davis & Elkins College 89-67 at the Osborne Center. The victory marked the first win for head coach
Mikayla Lopez at the helm of the Storm program, beginning a new era of Lake Erie women's basketball on a high note.
The Storm wasted no time establishing control, opening the contest on a 9-0 run behind baskets from Jaicee Wallace, Melanie Alvarenga, and Tatum Smith. Lake Erie's defensive pressure proved to be a difference-maker early, forcing turnovers and creating transition opportunities. Wallace led the first-quarter scoring effort with eight points, while Smith and Sophie Chipps each added six. The Storm closed the opening quarter with a commanding 26-11 advantage.
Davis & Elkins attempted to cut into the deficit early in the second quarter, narrowing Lake Erie's lead to 12 points. However, the Storm responded with another offensive surge, fueled by Wallace and Nico Cornett. Wallace took control offensively, scoring 12 points in the second quarter to bring her first-half total to 20. Lake Erie shot an impressive 61.1 percent from the field in the period, outscoring the Senators 27-18 to take a 53-29 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the break, Lake Erie continued to build its advantage. Alvarenga opened the third quarter with a three-pointer, followed by a jumper from Cornett to extend the lead to 29 points. The Storm's defense remained aggressive, disrupting the Senators' offensive rhythm and creating additional scoring opportunities. Alvarenga, Cornett, and Smith each contributed five points in the quarter as Lake Erie maintained a 70-42 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes.
The Senators outscored the Storm 25-19 in the fourth quarter, but Lake Erie's early advantage proved too much to overcome. Cornett led the final-quarter scoring effort with seven points, while Wallace and Hazely Wagner each contributed three. The Storm maintained control down the stretch to secure the 89-67 victory and give Lopez her first win as Lake Erie's head coach.
Wallace led all scorers with a game-high 24 points, shooting an efficient 11-for-17 from the field. She also contributed seven steals and three assists in an impressive season-opening performance. Cornett followed with 18 points, four rebounds, and three steals, while Smith added 13 points, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc.
Alvarenga rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points, four rebounds, and seven steals. Micheala Dean-Dunn contributed seven points off the bench, while Wagner and Chipps each added six. Wagner and Miley Amann shared the team lead with five assists apiece, helping facilitate the Storm's offense throughout the contest.
Defensively, Lake Erie delivered an outstanding performance, recording 37 steals and forcing a program record-breaking 51 turnovers. Wallace and Alvarenga led the team with seven steals each, while Wagner and Amann added five apiece. The Storm capitalized on their defensive pressure, scoring 52 points off turnovers and adding 30 fast-break points.
As a team, Lake Erie shot 46.2 percent from the field, making 36 of 78 attempts, including 10 three-pointers. The Storm also controlled the interior offensively, scoring 44 points in the paint, while the bench contributed 24 points.
The season-opening victory marked an exciting beginning to the Lopez era as the Storm showcased their offensive depth and defensive intensity in their first outing of the season.
Lake Erie begins the 2026-27 campaign with a 1-0 overall record and will look to build on its momentum. The Storm are back in action on Saturday, Nov. 14, as they travel to Clarion, PA, to take on the Clarion Golden Eagles at 7:00PM.
