RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- As the team celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the Cougars took on the second ranked team in the NACC, the Benedictine University Eagles. Before tip-off, Concordia's female athletes were recognized with the nine women's sports teams in attendance. As for the game, the Eagles scored the first basket and never looked back, downing CUC 75-36.
 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

•       The Cougars shot 8-12 from the free throw line.
•       Crystal Corr led the team with 14 points.
•       Jada Dixon was on top of the leaderboard in assists (3) and steals (3)

National Girls and Women in Sport Day may have been last week, but we still ❤ our women student-athletes! pic.twitter.com/kvW03D1XgD

— CUC SAAC (@CUC_SAAC_) February 14, 2019

In the first quarter, the Cougars found themselves trailing by seven, as they struggled with turnovers early. A steal from Sam Bloom led to the assist to Maddie Vojacek for the layup late in the quarter to get the offense going. The Eagles utilized fast breaks and high-pressure defense to make the score 24-13 at the end of the first.

WBB: Crystal Corr gets things going for CUC with a nice drive to the basket!! pic.twitter.com/RGwRX5vFx9

— CUC Athletics (@CUChicagoSports) February 14, 2019

In the second quarter, the Cougars started off well with a three-pointer from Bloom and a jumper from Corr. Shortly after, the Eagles were able to put up an 11-0 scoring run with strong plays in the paint. With a minute to go in the half, Corr made a strong drive to the basket for the three-point play after sinking a free throw, bringing her total to 14 points. At the end of the half, the Cougars trailed 44-23.
 
 
Starting the third quarter, Jada Dixon scored the first five Cougar points with a jumper and a three-pointer. With tough defense, CUC was able to force Benedictine turnovers, holding the Eagles' lead to 20 with four minutes left to go in the third quarter. Benedictine then went on a 9-0 scoring run that was halted by a three-pointer from Annika Rae. At the end of the third quarter, the Eagles led the Cougars 60-31.

WBB: Jada Dixon with the soft touch on the jumper to get things going for the Cougars here in the 2nd half!! pic.twitter.com/DEHo5GXeVJ

— CUC Athletics (@CUChicagoSports) February 14, 2019

In the fourth, the Cougars were struggling to keep the offense going, as were the Eagles. Numerous turnovers and missed shots kept the score to 71-36 with three minutes remaining in the game. A three-pointer from McKayla Tilton seemed to put a spark in the Cougars that arrived too late. At the end of regulation, Benedictine defeated the Cougars 75-36.
 
 
The Cougars will close out the 2018-19 season on Saturday when they welcome Aurora University to Geiseman. Saturday will also be senior day for CUC as they honor their two seniors Kayla Horlacher and Jessica Slomcheck.