Feb. 7, 2015 - The Concordia-Chicago women's basketball team squared off against Wisconsin Lutheran College for the second time this season, this time at the REX Center in Milwaukee. The Cougars put forth a determined effort but were unable to negate the Warriors' size and skill as the home team took undisputed possession of first place in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference with an 83-57 victory.
As anticipated, the Warriors looked to 6'3" center Kristen Schulz for a quick start, and she delivered four baskets in the early going. However, the hosts also balanced the inside play with a couple of early threes from Caitlin Knueppel and grabbed a 16-4 lead.
The Cougars soon got their feet and attacked the Warriors. Kassy Koehler (Belvidere, IL/Rockford Lutheran) hit twice from the outside, and Morgan Jahnke (Fox Lake, IL/Grant Community) added one from downtown. Concordia-Chicago scored nine points off of eight WLC turnovers, but the Cougars otherwise were hard pressed to slow down the Warriors. Led by 7-10 shooting and 16 points overall by Schultz, the home team shot 17-29 (59 percent) overall for the half and opened up a commanding 43-20 lead at the half. Refusing to go away, the Cougars started the second half with an 11-3 burst. Jaela DeJean (Houston, TX/Houston Christian) scored the Cougars' first four points and six of the first eight. When Shania Kiser (Fremont, OH/Fremont Ross) ended the run with an inside score, CUC was within 46-31 with plenty of time to go. However, the 15-point margin was as close as Concordia-Chicago would get. Wisconsin Lutheran answered with a 12-3 run of its own with Schulz contributing five of the points. The hosts kept their lead in the twenties for most of the remainder of the contest as both teams were able to clear their benches in the final minutes.
DeJean led the Cougars with 15 points, followed by Jahnke with 10. The Cougars shot 19-63 (30 percent) overall, 6-28 on threes and 13-20 from the free throw line. Jahnke was the Cougars' rebound leader with seven, followed by six from Koehler. CUC scored 21 points off WLC's 17 turnovers.
Schulz led the Warriors (17-4, 15-2 NACC) with 31 points and 18 rebounds. Wisconsin Lutheran shot 27-56 (48 percent) overall, 5-16 on threes and 24-34 (71 percent) from the line whle winning the boards 53-31. The Warriors scored 12 points off the Cougars' 11 turnovers.
Concordia-Chicago (12-10, 9-8 NACC) will return home to host Aurora University on Wednesday night in the two teams' only meeting this season. It will be Senior Night for the Cougars as they will honor their lone four-year player, Kassy Koehler.
