Jan. 17, 2015 - Concordia-Chicago's women's basketball team looked to bounce back from a loss to first-place Wisconsin Lutheran College this past Wednesday with a game at the Milwaukee School of Engineering this afternoon. The Cougars handily defeated MSOE's Raiders two weeks ago at Geiseman Gymnasium, but today's result at the Kern Center was markedly different. Fighting an uphill battle all day, the Cougars fell to the Raiders by a final score of 76-63.

A lethal combination of poor shooting by CUC, 68 percent shooting by MSOE and a host of turnovers spelled trouble for the Cougars from the beginning. The Cougars missed on their first four shots while also committing five turnovers. However, some good defense by CUC kept the Raiders within reach until Miranda Rogers (Cypress, TX/Houston Christian) broke the ice with a three at the 14:45 mark. Jaela DeJean (Houston, TX/Houston Christian) followed with a 15-foot jumper to get the visitors within 6-5. But just as the Cougars seemed to be getting on track, the Raiders struck back with a 13-0 run over the next several minutes.

The Raiders stretched their lead to 19 eventually, but DeJean's three-point play helped the Cougars find a little offensive rhythm late in the half. Morgan Jahnke (Fox Lake, IL/Grant Community) attacked the basket and earned a couple of trips to the foul line. However, CUC could not cut into the lead substantially, and MSOE went in at the half leading 42-24.

The Raiders closed the half shooting 17-25 (68 percent) from the field while the Cougars were just 9-27 (33 percent) including 1-7 from three-point range. The second half began with DeJean and Courtney Lofink (Orange, CA/Orange Lutheran) scoring the first five points, only to be answered by three straight baskets by Shaylan Reardon. Divinity Stephens (Flossmoor, IL/Homewood-Flossmoor) and Rogers connected for threes, but the Raiders were able to counter with baskets in the paint and keep their lead in the upper teens.

Concordia-Chicago had one final chance with eight minutes remaining. Trailing by 14, Stephens took a charge underneath against one of MSOE's post players. Lofink hit on two free throws, and the Raiders came down and missed a pair. The Cougars had the ball with a chance to cut MSOE's lead down to 10 or even nine, but a turnover gave the ball back. The hosts scored the next five points and maintained a safe lead over the final minutes of the game.

MSOE (12-4, 8-3 NACC) was led by Reardon's 20 points, six rebounds and Holly Denfeld's 12 points, seven rebounds. The Raiders finished with 27-43 shooting (63 percent), 2-5 from three-point range and 20-32 (63 percent) at the free throw line.

The Cougars fell to 9-7, 7-6 NACC with the loss. Jahnke finished with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists while DeJean contributed 16 points and three assists.

Concordia-Chicago will return to Wisconsin on Tuesday night when they play at Alverno College.