Feb. 4, 2014 - For the Concordia-Chicago women's basketball team. Tuesday night's home game against Benedictine University was the team's first oppportunity to build on last week's breakthrough victory. But for junior
Kassy Koehler (Belvidere, IL/Rockford Lutheran), it was a little bit more.
On a night when the Cougars hosted "Play 4 Kay" night, a program dedicated to fighting cancer and raising awareness, Koehler dedicated her effort to an aunt who passed away from cancer just a few weeks ago. Koehler gave an inspired performance with a 24-point effort that was the difference in the Cougars' 63-58 win over the Eagles.
"This was a very special game for me, and it was important for me to have it for her on Play 4 Kay Night," said Koehler.
Koehler's scoring came largely on the strength of six three-point field goals, tying her mark from earlier this season against Loras College, and her 24 points was one off her career-high set in December of 2011 against Olivet College. It was Koehler's sixth three of the night that triggered a 9-0 run that gave the Cougars the lead for good with 4:07 remaining.
Unlike last week's 84-80 shootout against Rockford University, baskets would be at more of a premium in this contest.
Morgan Jahnke's (Fox Lake, IL/Grant Community) three, the only CUC three of the night not by Koehler, gave the Cougars a 5-3 lead at the 15:50 mark. Helped out by Koehler's first two treys later in the half, Concordia would hold the lead for much of the first part of the half. But, with Concordia leading 18-11, Benedictine rattled off nine straight points capped off by Alanna Ferry's jumper.
Chanel Stelmachowicz (Fredonia, WI/Living Word Lutheran) ended the Eagles' run with a jumper that pulled the Cougars even briefly. However, Briana Hamilton and Rena Ranallo hit on back-to-back trips down the floor.
Angelik Young (Crete, IL/Crete-Monee) scored on a putback in the final minute to make the halftime score Benedictine 24, Concordia 22.
The Cougars came out recharged for the second half.
April Broska (Belleville, MI/Lutheran South), limited to just a few minutes in the first half because of early foul trouble, scored on two drives to the basket in the first minute. Jahnke was then fouled on the next possession and knocked down both free throws to put the Cougars up 28-24.
The Eagles fought back, and the teams would battle on mostly even terms for much of the half. Both sides shot well in the second half after a rough first half, Benedictine hitting on 52 percent (14-27) and Concordia 62 percent (13-21). Twice, the Cougars took a six-point lead, the second coming at 45-39 as Koehler hit on her fifth three. However, the Eagles battled back again as they outscored the Cougars 8-2 over the next few minutes to tie the game 47-47 with 4:38 on the clock.
On the Cougars' ensuing possession, it was Koehler to the rescue one more time. With the shot clock winding down, Young got the ball inside the lane surrounded by two defenders. She kicked out to Koehler on the right wing who launched it immediately. The ball rippled through the net as the Cougars regained the lead.
Just seconds later, Jahnke came up with a loose ball and the Cougars were off and running. Jahnke got the ball to Broska who laid it in. That act repeated itself as Broska scored at the two-minute mark off another turnover. Benedictine called a quick timeout as they found themselves trailing 54-47.
The Cougars wrapped up the game at the free throw line as Jahnke, Broska, Koehler and Jahnke again each cashed in a pair. Broska added a final free throw with 22 seconds left to put CUC up 63-54, and the Cougars survived a pair of Eagles' baskets in the final seconds to celebrate a second straight win at Geiseman Gymnasium.
Koehler's 24 points was supported by Broska's 13, 11 in the second half. Young finished with seven points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. Meghan Novak led Benedictine (8-11, 8-6 NACC) with 12 points while Michelle Gaede added 11.
The Cougars wil ltravel to Milwaukee on Saturday to take on NACC-leading Wisconsin Lutheran College.
