Dec. 18, 2012 - The Cougar women's final challenge before Christmas break was a formidable one. The Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors, preseason favorite in the Northern Athletics Conference South Division, entered tonight's game with a 7-1 overall record and 3-0 in conference play.

The Warriors jumped out to the early lead as they heated up from the outside. Melissa Klemm and Brittany Bahr treyed on consecutive trips down the floor to give the Warriors a double-digit lead at 18-8. The Cougars looked to battle back as Kassy Koehler (Belvidere, IL/Rockford Lutheran) and Angelik Young (Crete, IL/Crete-Monee) knocked down threes, but the Warriors used their height advantage to switch their focus inside. They built a 15-point lead late in the half and settled for a 36-22 edge after 20 minutes.

A quick start to the second half put the home team in full control. Shavon Dillon scored five of the Warriors' first seven points, her three-pointer giving the Warriors a 20-point lead at 43-23. The Warriors extended their lead as high as 26 on two occasions as both coaches utilized much of their benches over the final 10 minutes.

Jessica Genke (Kiel, WI/H.S.) scored 12 points in the second half and finished with a game-high 19, but she was the only Cougar player in double figures. Wisconsin Lutheran had 12 of their players reach the scoring column, led by Dillon's 14. The Warriors also claimed a 51-36 advantage on the boards, led by Carrie Thoma's 11, while Genke's eight caroms led the Cougars.

Concordia (2-7, 2-3 NAC) will break for Christmas before returning to action Dec. 28-29 at Wartburg College's tournament in Waverly, Iowa. The Cougars will play defending Division III champion Illinois Wesleyan University in first-round action.