Dominican's Women Run Past Concordia
Dec. 1, 2010 - The Concordia-Chicago women's basketball team battled Division Street rival Dominican University this evening, looking to put last Saturday's conference-opening loss behind them. However, the Stars' quickness was the difference in tonight's game as Dominican won handily by an 81-59 score at DU's Igini Sports Forum.
Dominican's Becky Christofferson hit a three to open the game, and the Stars quickly ran out to an 11-4 lead in the first 4:30. However, the Cougars began to claw their way back into the game, helped by five points by Kellie Murphy (Johnsburg, IL/Marian Central Catholic) and four points and two blocks by Maja Despot (Glen Ellyn, IL/Glenbard South).
A three by Katie Leitermann (Milwaukee, WI/Martin Luther) and two free throws by Despot enabled the Cougars to catch the hosts 25-25 at the 4:12 mark, but the Stars closed out the half with a 14-2 run as Christofferson scored the final five points for a 39-27 lead at the break.
While Dominican entered the game second in the conference with 42 threes, it was the Stars' inside game that caused problems for the Cougars. Dominican scored 22 of their points in the paint while also controlling the boards by a 25-18 margin.
The second half started no better for the Cougars. A driving layup by Bobbie May (Sandusky,MI/H.S.) was Concordia's only field goal through the first four minutes as the hosts expanded their lead to 48-30. Dominican's lead hit 20 at the 13:32 mark, and Concordia would get no closer than 16 the rest of the way.
Murphy and Marche Smith (Oak Park, IL/Trinity) had 11 points each to lead Concordia, although Smith was held to an uncharacteristic 5-14 shooting night. Despot finished with 10 points, five rebounds and six blocked shots. The Cougars shot just 36 percent on 22-61 and made 12 of 23 free throws for 52 percent.
The Stars (5-1, 1-0 NAC) were led by Christofferson's 24 points and Kayla Blom's 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Dominican shot 51 percent on 31-61, 15 of 22 for 68 percent at the foul line and finished with 48 inside points.
Concordia (1-3, 0-2 NAC) will play at Edgewood College on Saturday afternoon.
