Jacksonville, Ill. – The Concordia University Chicago Cougars traveled to Jacksonville Illinois to take on the Illinois College Lady Blues in their 2024-25 season opener. The Cougars ultimately fell to the Lady Blues with a final score of 75-36.
Inside the Box Score:
- Sydney Nimsakont (Glendale Heights, Ill.) in her collegiate debut led the Cougars offense with a total of nine points on the day.
- Alisyn MacGregor (Loves Park, Ill.) followed with a total of seven points, and she led the defense with a total of 14 rebounds.
How It Happened
First Quarter:
The Cougars started their season with an early lead through a field goal from the three-point range from Nimsakont 3-0.
The Lady Blues followed this up with a jumper where the score was 3-2. Nimsakont from three-point range yet again brought the Cougars' lead to 6-2. However, the Lady Blues, with two jumpers, tied the score 6-6.
Emma Nickerson (Lake City, Mich.) and Nazuri Whigham (Naperville, Ill.) brought two more baskets in for the Cougars by driving into the paint 10-6. The Lady Blues came within one where the score was 10-9. However, a foul from the Cougars at the end of the quarter allowed the Lady Blues to take the lead at the free throw line 11-10.
Second Quarter:
The Lady Blues took control of the momentum quickly into the second quarter by scoring the first four points of the quarter where the score was 15-10, in favor of the Lady Blue. Abby Kulig (Carol Stream, Ill.) stopped this push with a field goal, with the Cougars still trailing the score was 15-12.
Nimsakont followed this from three-point range to tie the game at 15 a piece.
The Lady Blues took the lead back with a basket, but MacGregor at the free throw line closed the Lady Blues lead to one. The Lady Blues responded with a jumper, which Grace King (Fairland, Ind.) traded with a free throw making the score 19-17. The Lady Blues attempted to create a bigger lead against the Cougars with a three-pointer 22-17, but Destiney Cox (Chicago, Ill.) With a jumper made the score 22-19.
However, the Lady Blues only allowed the Cougars one more basket and ended the quarter with a lead of four through a three-pointer 25-21.
Third Quarter:
The Lady Blues continue their lead by driving in layups, bringing the score to 29-21. MacGregor followed this up with a layup of her own where the score favored the Lady Blues, 29-23. The Lady Blues built momentum, creating a huge gap of 51-23. Cox attempted to end this momentum with a driving layup to make the score 51-21.
Fouled, Cydnei Mitchell (Aurora, Ill.) brought in two points at the line for the Cougars 51-27.
Fourth Quarter:
The Lady Blues initiated the quarter by bringing in eleven points and taking their lead 64-27. MacGregor and Mitchell started the run for the Cougars by laying the ball in 64-31.
Nickerson followed this with a jumper, bringing the score to 63-33. Aniyah Hinton-Henry (Gary, Ind.) followed this with a field goal 64-34. However, the Lady Blues stopped this run by building their lead to 75-34. Kira Holliday (Roselle, Ill.) ended the game for the Cougars at the free throw 75-36.
Coming Up:
The Cougars continue their away stretch, taking on Anderson University on Nov. 12 at 7:00 p.m. Coverage for all sports can be found at cucougars.com.
