Schwab Shoots Cougar Women to Win over Rockford
Jan. 24, 2012 - On a night when the Concordia-Chicago women's basketball team had trouble shaking a pesky Rockford College team, senior
Melissa Schwab (Elmhurst, IL/York Community) rode to the rescue. Schwab hit four three-pointers, scoring all 12 of her points in the second half as the Cougars outlasted the visiting Regents by a final score of 62-54.
The Cougars roared to an early 8-2 lead as
Krystyna Rickett (Sandusky, MI/H.S.) and
Kassy Koehler (Belvidere, IL/Rockford Lutheran) hit early threes. However, Concordia was unable to maintain a consistent offensive rhythm, and Rockford was able to scratch their way back into the game. The Regents took their only lead of the game late in the half at 21-19, but a layup by Koehler enabled the Cougars to tie the game
going into the break.
April Broska (New Boston, MI/Lutheran South) started the Cougars off in the second half with five quick points, Concordia took a 31-25 lead, but the visitors charged right back. Nicole Olson nailed a three and, moments later, Jessica Bjerning hit a shot jumper to tie the game 33-33 with 13:43 remaining.
Rickett's three put the Cougars back into the lead to stay, but it was Schwab that helped Concordia open up some space. Leading 42-38, Schwab hit a pair of threes around a pair of Rockford free throws to pump up the advantage to eight. After a layup by Broska, Koehler and Schwab hit consecutive threes to give the home team its largest lead of the night at 16 points (56-40). The Cougars held their double-digit lead until the final minute when the Regents scored the game's final four points to put the final margin at eight.
Broska backed Schwab's team-leading 12 points with a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds (five on the offensive glass). The Cougars owned a 45-39 edge on the glass with Koehler and
Cristina Calabrese (Schiller Park, IL/East Leyden) each grabbing eight rebounds.
Rockford was led by Jessica Bjerning's 17 points. Britney Curry, the Regents' top scorer, was held to nine points but pulled down a team-leading 10 rebounds.
Concordia (7-10, 5-7 NAC) will get ready to host the 61st annual Concordia Invitational Tournament this Friday and Saturday. Concordia Ann Arbor will provide the Cougars' first-round opposition on Friday at 6:00.
