Jan. 14, 2012 - Fresh off a 13-point win over Aurora University Tuesday night, the Concordia women's basketball team faced a tough challenge this afternoon in Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors entered today's game with a 10-3 record overall and a perfect 7-0 record in Northern Athletics Conference play. Concordia had defeated Wisconsin Lutheran last year in River Forest, but the Warriors exacted a measure of revenge today with a 75-39 victory.
The defenses controlled play early. Concordia forced the hosts into just 2-11 shooting over the opening minutes, but the Cougars did not get on the board until Cristina Calabrese (Schiller Park, IL/East Leyden) hit a short jumper in the line at the 13:39 mark. A basket by Claire Mackey (Shelton, NE/Heartland Lutheran) and another by Calabrese eventually brought Concordia within 7-6, but strong inside play and threes by Alyssa Allister and Rachel Hoft set Wisconsin Lutheran on a 13-2 run to go up by double digits.
Kassy Koehler (Belvidere, IL/Rockford Lutheran) gave Concordia a spark with a three-point rainbow from the left side and a short baseline jumper, and Krystyna Rickett (Sandusky, MI/H.S.) followed with a long three to bring the Cougars back within 25-18. However, the Warriors answered with the final eight points of the half to take a 15-point lead into the break.
The halftime stats showed the Cougars holding the Warriors to just 11-28 shooting (39 percent) while owning a slim 22-21 lead on the boards. However, Concordia hit on just six of 28 shots (21 percent) and committed 11 turnovers to the Warriors' six.
Wisconsin Lutheran enjoyed a much better start to the second half, scoring the first seven points to take a 40-18 lead. Through the first 10 minutes of the half, the Warriors hit on 10 of 17 from the field in bumping their lead up to 30. The hosts maintained a big lead down the stretch, allowing both coaches to clear their benches.
The Warriors were led by Katelyn Kuehl with 12 points. Shvaon Dillon and Kristen Schulz each scored 10 points with Schulz adding a game-igh nine rebounds. The Cougars were led by Rickett's nine points, followed by Koehler and Calabrese with seven each.
Concordia (5-9, 3-6 NAC) will play Wednesday night at the Milwaukee School of Engineering before returning home for four straight games.
