Madison, Wis.- Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Concordia University Chicago Cougars Women's Basketball team still has a lot to play for. Two wins this week would earn a bye in the first round of the NACC playoffs next week. Their first test would be on the road tonight against the Edgewood College Eagles. The Eagles came out strong on the boards to take down CUC by a final score of 86-74. With the loss, CUC falls into a three-way tie for third place in the NACC with just one game to go.
 
The Cougars (17-7; 13-6 NACC) were led by Crystal Corr with 17 points on 7-12 shooting and 13 rebounds. Taylor Jacobsen and Courtney Lofink also finished in double figures with 14 and 12 respectively. As a team CUC shot 36 percent from the floor and just 29 percent from three. Edgewood shot 45 percent from the floor and were led by Abby Shane's 23 points and Kelly Carpenter's 20 rebounds.
 
The Cougars scored the opening basket of the game on a Lofink steal and layup. Edgewood countered with a 8-0 run of their own to take the lead. The Eagles were able to build their lead to as many as ten in the opening quarter. Eight points by Lofink helped to keep CUC in it, but they still trailed 23-19 after one quarter.
 
In the second quarter, CUC was able to pull back within two midway through the quarter on five quick points by Crystal Corr. The Cougars continued to fight to take the lead but were unable to in the quarter. Kayla Horlacher got things going offensively with two deep threes, but a late 7-0 run by Edgewood was able to extend the Eagles lead to 45-37 at the half.
 
Horlacher led CUC with nine points in the first half on 3-5 shooting from deep. Lofink followed with eight. As a team the Cougars shot 40 percent in the first half, but struggled rebounding the basketball. Edgewood out rebounded CUC 31-17 in the half, which resulted in 12 second chance points for the Eagles.
 
In the third quarter, CUC again used a run to pull within five. Again Edgewood was up to the challenge ballooning their lead to as many as 13. A Lofink three and a Jacobsen basket cut the Eagles advantage to 61-53 at the end of three quarters.
 
In the fourth, Edgewood was able to extend their lead back out to double digits in the early minutes and never let CUC get back within ten, leading to a 86-74 final score.
 
The Cougars will close out the 2017-18 season on Saturday when they host rival Concordia Wisconsin inside Geiseman. Opening tip is set for 4:15pm.