Feb. 13, 2016 - Coming off one of the most exciting finishes to a game that a basketball fan could ever ask for, the Concordia University Chicago Cougars looked to carry that excitement into today's Senior Day game against Wisconsin Lutheran College. Instead, WLC jumped out early and never looked back, using hot shooting and top-notch defense to give the Cougars fits all night long. The final score read Wisconsin Lutheran 81, Concordia-Chicago 57.

Beginning the game, CUC head coach Rusty Rogers honored his four seniors by giving Kristen Shimko (Plainfield, IL/Plainfield North), Morgan Jahnke (Fox Lake, IL/Grant Community), Angelik Young (Crete, IL/Crete-Monee), and Hannah Rummel (Fenton, MI/Lake Fenton) the start on this special night. WLC jumped out early, but layups by Courtney Lofink (Orange, CA/Orange Lutheran) and Jahnke kept the Cougars close midway through the first quarter. The Warriors went on a 9-0 run to extend the lead to 15. Lofink ended the run with a pair of free throws and a layup. Rummel and Young would net baskets at the end of the quarter to pull CUC back within eight after one.

WLC showed in the second quarter why they are defending conference champions. They scored the first four points of the quarter before Jahnke converted a short jumper. From that point, only Jahnke and Young were able to score baskets in the quarter. WLC used their second-ranked NACC defense to frustrate the Cougars while using their strong shooting to extend the lead to well over 20 points by halftime.

Concordia-Chicago was held to just 18 points in the half and shot just 24 percent from the field. Jahnke and Lofink led with six points apiece in a half in which only four Cougars scored. On the other end of the court, WLC shot 53 percent from the floor and did not miss a free throw.

The second half was controlled by WLC as well, as they extended their lead up over 30 points. CUC battled tough at the end of the third, getting baskets from Sarah Smith (St. Ignis, MI/LaSalle) and Lofink. CUC played their best basketball in the fourth quarter with both coaches using their full complement of players but, in the end, it was too late for the Cougars to make a run at the reigning NACC champions.

The Cougars were led in scoring by Jahnke with 12 and Lofink with 10. CUC shot much better in the second half but finished with just 34 percent from the floor overall and making just four three-pointers. WLC (17-7 15-4 NACC) was led by Jen Dowden's impressive 23 points on 10-14 shooting for the game.

Following the game the Cougars honored this year's four senior basketball players and their families for their long standing commitment and heart that has been given to the Cougar Women's Basketball program.

CUC (9-14 7-11 NACC) will return to action in Geiseman Gymnasium one final time this season, taking on Division street rival Dominican University Tuesday night. The final tip is scheduled for 7p.m.