Dec. 4, 2012 - The Concordia Cougars found themselves in an all-out battle this evening after giving up a first-half lead of 13 points. But a 10-2 run down the stretch helped the Cougars finally prevail by a 59-51 score over Rockford College in women's basketball action at Geiseman Gymnasium.
Concordia's defense was in top form in the early part of the game. The Cougars did not allow a field goal for the first 8:34, forcing the Regents into misfiring on their first 15 shots. When Jessica Bjerning finally got the Regents' first two-pointer of the game on a layup, the Cougars had built an early nine-point lead.
Jessica Genke (Kiel, WI/H.S.) scored Concordia's first six points, and
Ashley DiCristofano (Elmwood Park, IL/H.S.) and
Ariel Duell-Duran (Haiku, HI/Seabury Hall H.S.) hit from long range to keep the Cougars' momentum going.
The Cougars built leads of 20-7 and 23-11 later in the half. However, just as was the case in Saturday's game against Concordia Wisconsin, foul trouble began to pile up on the Cougars. The Regents got to the free throw line 16 times in the half, making good on 13. Bjerning warmed up as well, finishing the half with 14 points while going 5-5 from the field and 4-4 from the line. Her jumper in the final minute gave Rockford its first lead at 25-23, but
Kassy Koehler (Belvidere, IL/Rockford Lutheran) answered with a score to send the two teams into the break tied at 25-25.
Freshman
Dazmine Chaney (Aurora, IL/West Aurora) scored four quick points to start the Cougars' engine in the second half. But, leading 31-27, Concordia saw the visitors score eight straight points to take a four-point lead.
The Cougars stayed close over the next several minutes, and a key three-pointer by Koehler provided a spark.
April Broska (New Boston, MI/Lutheran South) hit a pair of free throws and drove for a layup, and Rickett provided a three to give Concordia a 44-41 lead.
Rockford tied the game at 46-46, but Genke's turnaround jumper gave Concordia the lead for good at the 4:05 mark. The Cougars' defense turned up the pressure, and a couple of forced turnovers led to baskets by Koehler, Genke and Broska.
Krystyna Rickett (Sandusky, MI/H.S.) added a pair of free throws with 1:04 left to complete the run and give the Cougars a 56-48 lead.
Arielle Nichols' three gave Rockford a last gasp, but the Cougars answered as Genke got free and scored on a feed from DiCristofano for a seven-point lead. Broska split a pair of free throws in the final seconds to account for the final margin of victory.
Genke led the Cougars with 13 points and 10 rebounds, her fifth consecutive double-double. Concordia's balanced scoring attack also featured Broska with 11 points, Koehler with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Duell-Duran with a season-high of nine points. Bjerning led the Regents with 18 points and six rebounds.
Concordia (2-5, 2-1 NAC) will break for finals before returning to the court on Saturday, Dec. 15 when they play at Maranatha Baptist Bible College.
