Crusaders Stun Cougar Women in Final Minutes
Feb. 5, 2011 - The Concordia Cougars women's basketball team ran up against a buzzsaw this afternoon in the Crusaders of Maranatha Baptist Bible College. The Cougars fell behind from the very beginning and struggled all afternoon, and the Crusaders kept up the pressure for 40 minutes in emerging with a 52-49 win.
Maranatha's quickness and hustle on the offensive boards caught Concordia flat-footed in the early minutes as the home team jumped to a 12-5 lead. Consecutive three-pointers by Marche Smith (Oak Park, IL/Trinity) started the Cougars back on the right track. However, after April Broska's (New Boston, MI/Lutheran South) brought the Cougars to within 15-13, the Cougars hit a dry spell of just over six minutes. Smith's free throw finally broke the draught at the 6:51 mark, and the Cougars resumed pursuit.
The play of Katie Leitermann (Milwaukee, WI/Martin Luther) gave the Cougars a burst of energy in the final minutes of the half. Her two free throws at the 2:12 mark enabled Concordia to catch Maranatha at the 2:12 mark. Moments later, following a turnover, Leitermann sank a three from the left wing to give Concordia its first lead at 26-23. Smith then added a three with 39 seconds left that was set up by Leitermann's steal, and the Cougars carried a 29-23 lead into the half.
Concordia maintained its lead through the first 10 minutes of the second half, but a three by Allison Schultz put the Crusaders within a point at 37-36. Smith's three from the left corner gave the Cougars a little breathing room, but Schultz connected on another trey, and Autumn Peotter followed with a three from the corner to put the hosts back on top. Torey DeLozier followed with a three-point play underneath, and the Cougars trailed 45-40 with eight minutes left.
Abbey Howman (Sandusky, OH.St. Mary's Central Catholic) hit on a three to revive the Cougars, and Leitermann's putback then evened the game. The Crusaders retook the lead with the next three points, and that lead would hold up until the final seconds. Smith's rebound gave Concordia a last possession with 12.9 seconds left. Leitermann misfired on a three from the right side, but the ball caromed off a Crusaders' player and gave the Cougars an inbounds along the baseline with 2.5 left. The inbounds pass to Broska at the top of the key was intercepted, and the Crusaders dribbled out the final few seconds.
Torey DeLozier played a monster of a game for Maranatha, finishing with 18 points, 16 rebounds and six steals, some of which came on Cougars' inbounds passes and led to easy baskets. Peotter added 13 points and six rebounds.
Concordia was led by Smith's 23 points, eight rebounds and four steals. However, it was not enough to overcome the Cougars' 28 percent shooting from the field and 26 turnovers.
The Cougars (8-12, 4-9 NAC) return home to host Benedictine University on Tuesday night.
