Plymouth, Wis.- With the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Women's Basketball playoffs getting underway, the Concordia University Chicago Cougars, took to the floor against the Lakeland University Muskies. The two teams split the season series, in two overtime contests. With the season on the line the Cougars answered back after a tough first quarter to take the lead early in the second half, but the Muskies were able to get to the free throw line to pull away late by a final score of 77-62.

The Cougars (17-9) struggled to get going offensively all night, shooting 32 percent as a team. Courtney Lofink finished off her career with a game high 20 point along with seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Lakeland (18-8) shot 37 percent from the floor on the night, converting 22-24 attempts from the free-throw line.

The first quarter didn't feature the ideal start for CUC. After falling behind by double digits in the early goings, the Cougars used back to back threes from way behind the arc out of the hands of Kayla Horlacher to pull back within five after the first.

Lakeland came out quickly in the second quarter as well, building their lead back to 13. An Annika Rae three cut the deficit back to eight with 4:40 remaining in the quarter, which helped to get the offense going. It was Rae and Horlacher who combined for threes along with three points the hard way by Taylor Jacobsen that helped CUC trim the Lakeland lead to 35-34 at the half.

The Cougars shot just 29 percent in the first half compared to Lakeland's 38. Lofink and Horlacher led CUC with nine points each in the half, followed by Rae with eight. Miranda Jacobsen led the Muskie offense with 10 points, including a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw line.

CUC took the lead on the opening possession of the third quarter on a Crystal Corr jumper. After a Muskie basket it was Lofink again who cued up a long three that gave CUC the lead back at 39-37. Unfortunately for CUC that lead was their last, as Lakeland used a 7-0 run to take the lead back midway through the quarter. The Muskies continued to build on that lead, taking a double-digit lead into the fourth.

In the fourth, a Lofink three got CUC back within nine, but the Cougars were unable to get any run going. The Cougars saw their memorable season come to a close by a 77-62 final score. The 17 wins on the season marks the second most winning season in program history.

The Cougars will graduate four seniors, Lofink, T.Jacobsen, Erin Jacobsen, and Ashley Fischer this year. The four finish their careers in the Maroon and Gold the second most winning class in program history.

The game also marks the last of the Rusty Rogers era at Concordia University Chicago. Rogers finishes his career 58-46 at the helm for CUC. His .557 winning percentage is third highest in program history. Under his leadership, CUC made three NACC playoff appearances and broke countless records.