River Forest, Ill. -- The Concordia University Chicago women's basketball team (1-2, 0-0 NACC) looked to build off their win a week ago while continuing their long homestand to begin the season on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars battled tough against the North Central Cardinals (3-2, 0-0 CCIW), but ultimately a fourth quarter run by NCC proved to be enough to down CUC 68-57.
Inside the BoxÂ
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Jaylene Wade (Lansing, Ill.) led the team with 20 points, three rebounds, and one steal.
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Alisyn MacGregor (Loves Park, Ill.) put up five points, 14 rebounds, and two steals.
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Jada Dixon (Gary, Ind.) made her return to the court and added three points and four rebounds.
The Cougars got themselves on the board first with an early jumper from Wade. The two sides went back and forth throughout the first quarter. CUC grabbed the lead midway through the quarter on a Wade three. The Cougars held that lead until the final seconds of the quarter when North Central tied the game at 16.Â
The second quarter was much slower in pace. CUC struggled to get going offensively, not getting their first point until 6:40 showed on the Geiseman clock. The Cardinals built their lead to as many as six in the second quarter, but CUC cut the deficit to 24-20 at the break.
The Cougars kept the game within reach throughout the third quarter, getting hot from deep, hitting a couple of threes to keep within reach. The Cougars outscored NCC 23-21 in the third quarter and trailed by just two after three quarters.
CUC struggled offensively in the fourth, hitting just three shots from the field. North Central got the offense going enough to extend their lead to double-digits and eventually down the Cougars 68-57.
The Cougars will be back in action on Tuesday night for their first NACC matchup of the season against Concordia University Wisconsin. Opening tip is scheduled for 7pm from Geiseman. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
