Jan. 10, 2012 - Much of the offense for the Concordia-Chicago women's basketball team has been centered on the backcourt players. Tonight, however, the roles were reversed as the Cougar post players enjoyed their moment in the spotlight. A combined 33 points and 21 rebounds by Kellie Murphy (Johnsburg, IL/Marian Central Catholic) and Claire Mackey (Shelton, NE/Heartland Lutheran) led the Cougars to a 63-50 win over Aurora University at Geiseman Gymnasium.

Murphy, whose previous scoring high was 11 points on four different occasions, hit for 21 this evening on 6-8 from the field (2-3 from three-point range) and 7-9 from the free throw line. The 5'10" senior also pulled down 10 rebounds, five on the offensive end of the floor. Mackey, a 5'10" junior, recorded career highs in both points (12) and rebounds (11). Her points came on 3-5 from the field and 6-11 from the charity stripe.

The Cougars' first 13 points came from April Broska (New Boston, MI/Lutheran South), Bobbie May (Sandusky, MI/H.S.) and Krystyna Rickett (Sandusky, MI/H.S.) before Mackey's baseline jumper gave Concordia a 15-5 lead just five minutes into the game. But Concordia went dry for the next six minutes, allowing Aurora to climb back to within five points.

Kassy Koehler (Belvidere, IL/Rockford Lutheran) stemmed the tide with a jumper before Murphy and Rickett connected on back-to-back threes. The Cougars eventually bumped their lead up to 13 points twice before settling for a 31-22 halftime lead.

Aurora's defense allowed them to put some heat on Concordia in the early going of the second half. Corrina Larry's basket at the 12:07 mark brought the visitors within 36-31. But perhaps the biggest contribution from the Cougars' posts came in the following minutes as Mackey and Murphy both made good on three-point plays inside to put the lead back at eleven.

Later in the half, Murphy scored six straight points including her second three of the game to give Concordia its biggest lead of the night at 52-36. The Cougars held off any serious charges from the Spartans after that point, as Aurora's defense began to pile up fouls. Two of Aurora's starters fouled out, and the Cougars shot 28 free throws in the half, making 19.

Joining Murphy and Mackey in double-digit scoring was May who finished with 11 points. Rickett was held to seven points but contributed six assists and eight rebounds. The latter stat helped the Cougars to a 52-33 advantage on the boards.

Aurora (2-12, 1-6 NAC) was led by Megan Kohrt's 19 points (8-19 FG, 3-10 3FG) and 13 rebounds. JaQuitta Walker added 10 points and six steals.

Concordia (5-8, 3-5 NAC) will travel to Milwaukee on Saturday afternoon to challenge NAC North Division leadere Wisconsin Lutheran College.