Nov. 20, 2012 - Missed opportunities were the story of Concordia-Chicago's women's basketball home opener this evening against Loras College. The Cougars played solid defense against a Duhawks team that came in with two easy victories from this past weekend. However, a combination of turnovers and missed shots kept Concordia from cashing in its chances, and Loras escaped Geiseman Gymnasium with a 50-40 victory.

Jessica Genke's (Kiel, WI/H.S.) basket and Krystyna Rickett's (Sandusky, MI/H.S.) three gave Concordia a quick 5-1 lead before Allie DiVito nailed a three at the 14:37 mark for Loras' first field goal. The Cougars took an 8-4 lead but then hit a dry spell for nearly seven minutes while the visitors rattled off nine straight points to take the lead.

Loras eventually took a 23-12 lead late in the half before two free throws by Sara Stelzer (Selden, NY/Our Savior New American) and a basket by Genke on the fast break pulled Concordia within seven at the half.

A three by Rickett and layup by April Broska (New Boston, MI/Lutheran South) sandwiched around a Loras free throw trimmed the Duhawks' lead to three in the opening minutes of the second half. But two layups by Brit Kent and Lauren Byrne extended the lead back to seven. The lead remained between five and eight points for the next several minutes before the Duhawks bumped it up to 10 with 7:17 remaining. The Cougars had several chances to cut into the lead significantly, but they missed seven of their next eight shots from the field and still faced a 10-point deficit with just over two minutes remaining.

Genke gave the Cougars a glimmer of hope as she scored on a three-point play and then converted a layup after a steal by Dazmine Chaney (Aurora, IL/West Aurora). But a nice bit of passing by Loras resulted in a layup by Melissa Hermann for a 44-37 lead with 1:11 left. Two free throws by Rickett brought the Cougars within five one more time, but the Duhawks closed out the game at the foul line.

Genke finished with a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Rickett added 14 points. However, the Cougars shot just 27 percent from the field (12-44) and 58 percent at the foul line (14-24). Concordia was also plagued by 29 turnovers, although their fine defensive play forced the visitors into 27 miscues.

Hermann led Loras with 10 points, three assists and three blocks. Allie DiVito scored eight points and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds as Loras dominated the boards by a 47-35 margin.

Concordia (0-3) returns to action Saturday afternoon when they play at Eureka College.