Jan, 8, 2011 - The Cougar women's basketball team turned a shaky first half into a more poised performance down the stretch of tonight's game at Alverno College in Milwaukee. Combined with rock-solid defense, the Cougars notched their first victory of 2011 by a 59-49 score.
The Inferno scored the first three points of the game, but the Cougars countered on layups by Krystyna Rickett (Sandusky, MI/H.S.), Bobbie May (Sandusky, MI/H.S.) and Marche Smith (Oak Park, IL/Trinity). Concordia's defense helped to set the tone early as they forced the hosts into seven turnovers in the first 6 1/2 minutes including two shot-clock violations.
Concordia's lead extended to 10-3 before a couple of threes by Alverno's Kristen Speerschneider triggered an 8-0 run that gave the hosts the lead. Smith finally broke the six-minute draught with a putback. Kellie Murphy (Johnsburg, IL/Marian Central Catholic) followed with a pair of baskets to make the score 16-11 Cougars. The lead continued to see-saw back and forth until April Broska (New Boston, MI/Lutheran South) hit the Cougars' first basket from the outside, a three that gave Concordia a 23-21 halftime lead.
The Cougars, who scored all of their first-half points except for Broska's three, were led by Murphy's eight points. Maja Despot (Glen Ellyn, IL/Glenbard South) pulled down five boards as Concordia garnered a 17-12 advantage on the boards. The Inferno stayed close despite 32 percent shooting and 16 turnovers by forcing the Cougars into 15 miscies and knocking down six of eight free throws (Concordia did not go to the line in the first half).
Alverno's Gabby Allen hit a jumper on the first possession of the second half to tie the game, but Concordia scored the next seven points, five from Smith including a three-pointer to equal the Cougars' biggest lead. The Inferno closed the gap to four a few minutes later, but Smith lined up another three to put Concordia's lead back up to 37-30.
From that point, the Cougars continued to hold off charges by the home team. Concordia grabbed its biggest lead at 46-38 when Rickett's three bounced high abovere the rim and fell through. Moments later, the Cougars recorded their first double-digit lead as Despot's three-point play made the score Concordia 53, Alverno 41 with 3:23 remaining. Concordia's defense protected the lead over the final minutes as they notched their fifth win of the season and second in Northern Athletics Conference play.
Smith scored 18 of her game-high 22 points (10-16 shooting) in the second half to lead the way. Rickett added a season-high 10 points on 4-7 from the field. Smith's nine rebounds and Despot's seven helped the Cougars maintain a 38-30 advantage on the glass. Concordia also cut down the turnovers significantly in the second half, committing just five.
Alverno was led by Gabby Allen's 12 points and Alicia Kontowski's 10. Concordia's defense held the hosts to just under 30 percent shooting (14-47) and forced 25 total turnovers.
Concordia (5-7, 2-5 NAC) will play the last of their three-game road stretch on Tuesday night when they travel to Aurora University.
