RIVER FOREST, ILL. — The Concordia University Chicago Cougars would travel to their hometown rival the Dominican University Stars at the Igini Sports Forum for their first conference match. The Cougars would take the win 81-52 against the Stars securing their first conference win of the year.
Inside the Box:
- Khaliah Reid (Naperville, Ill.) led the Cougars' offense with 22 total points and is the overall point leader on the day.
- Mikalah Ellis (Chicago, Ill.) would follow this with 15 points scoring the second most points in the game.
- Alisyn MacGregor (Loves Park, Ill.) led the game in rebounds with a total of nine on the day.
First Quarter
The pair of Reid and Ellis assisted each other to score the first six points of the game with field goals 6-0. Alexis Desjarlait (Red Lake, Minn.) drew a foul and added to the Cougars lead by tallying in two free throws 8-0. Ellis added another shot to her name, bringing the Cougars lead to 10-0.
Nazuri Whigham (Naperville, Ill.) would add her name to the board, driving in the paint to score 12-0. The Stars would attempt to lower this lead, scoring nine points 12-9. Whigman on the free throw line, would silence their string of points 14-9. However, the Stars would forcibly tie the game 14-14.
The pair of MacGregor and Reid reinstated the Cougars lead. Reid started this at the free-throw line. She would then drive into the paint and then swiftly pass to MacGregor 17-14. Reid would follow this up with a layup and a three-pointer forcing the Cougars 22-14. The Stars would end the quarter at the free throw line 22-15.
Second Quarter
Whigman would sink in a layup, adding to the Cougars onslaught 24-15. The Stars would follow this with a jumper, however, Ellis would score two shots of her own 28-17. MacGregor would add a point to the board from the free throw line 29-17.
Reid with a fast break gets fouled but finessed the ball into the basket. She followed this with a free throw to cash in three points for the Cougars 32-17. The Stars, attempting to close the point gap, brought the score to 32-21. Cydnei Mitchell (Aurora, Ill.) added her name to the board following this with two lay-ups and a jumper to bring the score 38-24. Prentciss Gates (Gary, Ind.) ended the quarter for the Cougars at the free throw line 40-24.
Third Quarter
Ellis would start the quarter off for the Cougars in the paint with a layup 42-24. The Stars would respond with a layup of their own, but Reid would respond swiftly 44-26.
The teams would trade points through layups, with the Cougars being MacGregor and Ellis, bringing the score to 48-30
The Stars would lower their gap at the free throw and three-point lines 48-37. Gates would be driven into the bucket with a layup stopping their rally 50-37. She then would follow this at the free throw line 51-37. Desjarlait from the deep dish, would sink in a three 54-37. The Stars would end the quarter with a layup 54-39.
Fourth Quarter
A jumper from Ellis would initiate the fourth quarter for the Cougars 56-39. The Stars from the free throw line would attempt to cut the lead, but Reid would deny their attempts with a jumper 58-41. Lela Scott (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Desjarlait would score back-to-back threes for the Cougars 64-41.
The Stars would drive in a layup in an attempt to stop the Cougars scoring attempts 64-43. However, the Cougars would bounce right back, starting with MacGregor at the free throw line 65-43. Reid would follow this with a jumper, a field goal, and a free throw 71-43.
A string of players would add their names to the scoreboard for the Cougars. Abby Kulig (Carol Stream, Ill.) would start with a three-point play after being followed, adding her name to the board 74-45. Kayla Jackson (Worth, Ill.) would sync in a jumper 76-45. Linley Southern (Decatur, Ill.) with a three-point play because of a foul would bring the score to 79-49. Closing out the score and the game would be the Cougar's Janie Ternes (Oak Lawn, Ill.) with a layup 81-52.
The Cougars return to Geiseman Gymnasium on Monday, Dec. 4 at 7:00 p.m. to take on the Great Lakes Christian College Crusaders. Coverage can be found at
cucougars.com as well as the team's X
@CUCWbball.
