Jan. 15, 2014 - While the Concordia-Chicago women's basketball team was happy to play at Geiseman Gymnasium for the first time since Dec. 7, their challenge was a formidable one. Wisconsin Lutheran College came into tonight's Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference game with a 9-3 record (7-1 NACC) and in the midst of an eight-game winning streak. The Cougars put forth a determined effort but were unable to match the Warriors' level of play, and the visitors rolled to an 81-43 victory.
The Warriors set the tone early with a big opening run. Rachel Hoft hit the first of her five threes on the night before Melanie Laete followed with WLC's next five points. The lead reached 13-0 before April Broska (Belleville, MI/Lutheran South) snuck inside to score the Cougars' first points at the 16:01 mark. Broska then made good on a three-point play, and Morgan Jahnke (Fox Lake, IL/Grant Community) scored on a drive to the basket to trim WLC's lead to 13-7.
A 14-2 run in the middle of the half enabled the Warriors to open up a 29-11 lead. Kelli Johnson and Kristen Schulz gave the Warriors some solid inside play, and Hoft added a couple more threes to the run. Concordia picked up the offense in the final minutes of the half as Broska hit a couple of shots. Maggie Qualter (Evergreen Park, IL/Mount Assisi) added a three from the left corner, but the Cougars still trailed at the half by a 39-20 score.
Wisconsin Lutheran's defense continued to make it tough for Concordia in the second half. The Cougars shot just 9-31 (29 percent) and did not convert any of their three-point attempts. On the other end of the floor, the Warriors shot 44 percent overall but were on target with five of their 10 three attempts.
Hoft led all scorers with 17 points including five of nine threes. Schulz added 15 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks. The Cougars were led by Broska's 16 points while Angelik Young (Crete, IL/Crete-Monee) provided a lift off the bench with 11 points, nine rebounds and four steals.
Concordia returns to action on Saturday when they host the Milwaukee School of Engineering at 4:15, following the men's game.
