RIVER FOREST, Ill.—After a couple of tough losses over the weekend, the Concordia University Chicago Women's Basketball team continues their season opening five game road trip with a NACC road test at Marian University. With a win CUC would get off to a 2-0 start in the NACC for the third season in a row.
Series History: The Cougars have found a lot of success against Marian in recent history. CUC owns a 14-6 record over the Sabres since the 2006 season. The Cougars have won nine straight in the series and the last four inside Sadoff Gymnasium. Last season CUC downed Marian twice in ten days by final scores of 68-42 in Fond du Lac and 46-35 in River Forest.
About the Sabres: The Marian Sabres come into Saturday 0-3 overall. Saturday will be their first home game of the 2019-20 season. Most recently the Sabres lost to Mount Mary 60-57 in Milwaukee on Wednesday night. Marian features a young roster that features just three seniors and one junior. Freshman Claire Levendoski leads the team with an 11.7 points per game average this season. Freshman Alyssen Noriega leads the team with a 5.5 rebounds per game average this season.
A Thorn(ton) in the Opponents Side: Senior
Michaela Thornton has gotten off to a hot start this season for CUC. She was named to the All-Tournament team at the UW-Whitewater Tip-off last weekend. She put up a pair of 17 point performances over the weekend and pulled down 12 rebounds. The 17 points in a game are just three off her career high of 20 which she set last season. Thornton leads the team this season with a 14.7 points per game average.
Newcomers Getting It Done: Newcomers have adjusted quickly into the college game for CUC.
Tara Hastings started the season for CUC with a 17 point performance, and has continued to put up points for the Cougars. She is averaging 10.3 points per game and leads the team with 11 steals.
Bailey Steinkamp and
Madelyn McGrath have also been key contributors through the first three games. Steinkamp is third on the team in scoring and third in rebounds. McGrath is fourth on the team in scoring, and leads the team in assists by a wide margin.
Up Next: The Cougars hit the road one final time before the home opener next Sunday when they head to Madison Wisconsin to take on the Eagles of Edgewood College. Opening tip is set for 1:00pm.
