River Forest, Ill.- Concordia-Chicago women's basketball faced off against University of Dallas in a non-conference matchup. The Cougars came into the game looking to build off of their big win in the previous night against Alverno. The first half seemed to be CUC's, but they could not muster up a run to really take control. In the second half the Cougars offense woke up and started to deliver blow after blow. CUC dominated the second half and cruised to a 79-55 win over the Crusaders.
 
"This was my favorite game of the season thus far," said head coach Rusty Rogers postgame. "It was nice to see our girls grind out a game and find a way to win. I didn't like our intensity early, but the second half was much better. Having bench players like Sophia (Leon) and Kayla (Horlacher) are a huge part of why we are successful."
 
Sophia Leon finished the game with 23 points (8-12) and Kayla Horlacher finished with 15 points (5-10). They both led the CUC attack off the bench combining for 38 points knocking down threes and providing much needed scoring.
 
Starting off the game both teams found themselves in a defensive battle by trading steals and turnovers. Scoring came mostly off of free throws until around four minutes left in the first quarter when Horlacher knocked down two consecutive threes to make the score 14-6 in favor of CUC. A little surge by the Crusaders shrunk the Cougars lead and at the end of the first quarter the score stood at 20-17.
 
The Cougar offense started to get into a rhythm after Courtney Lofink assisted on two consecutive layups made by Taylor Jacobsen. Following the two buckets, CUC doubled their lead they held going into the quarter and went up 25-19. Going into the half the lead did not change and the score stood at 34-28. 
 
Defense continued to be the premium, neither team capitalizing on opportunities that would help them climb away. Late in the third quarter the Cougars received a spark from Leon, who hit back to back threes and extended the CUC lead to 47-36 with around two minutes left in the period. Shortly after, Horlacher knocked down her fourth three of the game and gave Concordia-Chicago a commanding 14 point lead. Horlacher wrapped up the third quarter with her fifth three, giving CUC a 54-38 lead.
 
Keeping their lead out of reach, the Cougars were finally showing the potential of their offensive attack. Leon netted another three with five minutes left in the fourth quarter to put the lead at 65-49. As the clock ticked down Concordia-Chicago kept building on their lead and came out with a dominant 79-55 win.
 
The Cougars (3-0, 1-0 NACC) return to action Wednesday, November 29 when CUC takes on NACC opponent Aurora University.  Tip-off is set for 7:00pm.