River Forest, Ill. - Looking to close out the 2017-18 regular season with a bang, the Concordia University Chicago Women's Basketball team laced it up one final time in Geiseman today. Before the game, CUC honored its four seniors, Ashley Fischer, Courtney Lofink, Taylor Jacobsen and Erin Jacobsen. The Cougars responded to a hot Concordia Wisconsin start with a big second quarter, but were unable to fight back a second time in the second half where CUW pulled away for the 73-61 win.

The Cougars (17-8; 13-7 NACC) were led by 42 total bench points on the night with 17 coming from Sophia Leon and 16 from Michaela Thornton.  The Cougars got to the free throw line just four times on the night in total and struggled mightily in the second half, shooting just 9-31. The Falcons (19-6; 16-4 NACC) were led by their post players Brianna Wagner and Audrey Scharmer. Both recorded double-doubles on the night. CUW shot a red hot 50 percent in the second half to pull away.

In the first quarter, the Falcons opened on a quick 7-0 run. They used that run to take a 18-11 lead after one quarter.

The Cougars responded with a stronger second quarter of their own, opening on a 7-0 run powered by Crystal Corr, Annika Rae and Thornton. With 2:58 remaining in the quarter CUC turned in on from deep, getting threes by Leon and T.Jacobsen to build the Cougar lead 10. CUW hit a late three to pull back within 36-29 of CUC at the half.

CUW came out strong to begin the third quarter, quickly racing to tie the game back at 36. The two teams exchanged baskets until late in the quarter when the Falcons used another run to build their lead to 52-45 after three quarters.

The Cougars tried to fight back in the fourth, using a Leon three to get back within three with 6:44 remaining. CUC would get no closer than that in the quarter, falling to CUW by a final score of 73-61.

Concordia-Chicago is the five seed for the NACC playoffs and will head to Lakeland to take on the Muskies on Wednesday night. Opening tip is set for 7:00pm from Sheboygan, Wisconsin.