River Forest, Ill.- The Concordia University Chicago women's basketball team faced off at home against Marian University this evening in a Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference matchup. Marian came into the game still winless in conference after ten games, while the Cougars were looking to extend their winning streak to eight games. Earlier in the season, CUC traveled to Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, where they handed the Sabres a 78-44 loss. Concordia Chicago looked to replicate the results of their first meeting. During the first quarter of play the score was even, but much like they have done all season the CUC attack heated up and grew the lead to twenty to ease their way to eight straight wins with a 75-48 victory over Marian.
Unlike the start of the first game, Marian came out with some fire and led 9-4 halfway through the first half. CUC was playing on their heels after a couple tough defensive possessions for the Sabres. To give Concordia-Chicago the 11-9 lead, Maddie Vojacek connected with five straight points. After the Cougars came back, the Sabres ended up tying it up at 13 to conclude the first quarter.
In the second quarter the CUC offense finally started pulling away. Courtney Lofink controlled the floor and created open opportunities for her teammates. The Jacobsen twins led the attack going into halftime with ten points by Taylor Jacobsen and seven points for Erin Jacobsen. To go with her seven points, E. Jacobsen contributed four steals as she continued to be a pest on defense. Going into the half the Cougars held onto a dominant 36-19 lead.
CUC kept a steady lead halfway through the third quarter at 45-27 tiring out Marian with every one-and-done defensive possession. Finishing off the third frame the Cougars held a 51-31 lead.
With the clock winding down, the Sabres tried to cut into the lead but with every bucket Concordia-Chicago answered. Two straight threes by Kayla Horlacher put the metaphorical dagger in Marian's hopes to come back. Horlacher would add two more threes before the end of the fourth quarter, in which CUC cruised to a 75-48 victory to collect their 13th win of the year and winners of eight straight, which ties a program record that goes back to the 1985-86 season.
T. Jacobsen had a game high 20 points (7-16), four rebounds, and one assist. Horlacher followed that up with 12 points (4-8 from three) and two rebounds.
The Cougars (13-2, 9-2 NACC) will be back in action on Saturday at home against Dominican University competing for the River Forest Rivalry Cup. Game time is scheduled for 4:15 p.m.
