Wisconsin Dells, Wis. - The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Cougars women's basketball team was in Wisconsin once more for their second day of the Titan Holiday Classic where day two they took on the Augustana College Vikings. After a hard fought battle, the Cougars fell, 78-44, and went 0-2 at the Titan Holiday Classic.

Inside the Box Score:

• Khaliah Reid (Naperville, Ill.) led the Cougar offense scoring 17 points, three assists, and two steals.
• Grace King (Fairland, Ind.) had 5 rebounds and Destiney Cox (Chicago, Ill.), Alisyn MacGregor (Loves Park, Ill.), and Abby Kulig (Carol Stream, Ill.) each had four. 

Here's What Happened

First Quarter

To start the game, the Vikings struck first off of a layup but it didn't take long for Reid to strike back with a three to pull the Cougars ahead 3-2. The Vikings then went on a six point run forcing the Cougars into their first timeout of the game. Out of timeout, both teams went scoreless for the next minute of game play, but a steal from MacGregor led to a scoring opportunity for the Cougars. Reid drew a shooting foul where she went to the free throw line going two for two. This brought the Cougars within four where the score was 9-5, favoring the Vikings. Continuing to attack the point deficit, Kulig scored a 2-point midrange jumper followed by a layup to tie the score up at nine a piece. The Cougars kept the Vikings from scoring for three and a half minutes of game time but eventually the Vikings found their momentum and scored in back-to-back possessions with a three-pointer, then a layup, where they took the lead again, 14-9. The last scoring possession of the game also came from the Vikings where they brought the score to 17-9 to end the quarter.

Second Quarter

The Vikings scored first to start the quarter, making their lead up to 10 points, making the score 19-9, but Reid acted fast and with a good three-pointer to bring the Cougars within seven. After a few exchanges of points, Sydney Nimsakont (Glendale Heights, Ill.) scored another three for the Cougars but they were still trailing by eight. The score was 23-15, Vikings. There were again a few back and forth shared points but the Vikings brought their lead to 3 after a made layup and made a three pointer. The score was now 30-17. With four minutes to go in the first half, both teams went into a media timeout to catch a break. The Cougars struggled to gain momentum but Nimsakont kept her fire and knocked down another three to bring the Cougars total points to 20. Reid added another three for the Cougars, but the Vikings quickly reacted with back-to-back layups, keeping the point deficit at 13, and the total score at 36-23. The Cougars were finding success in their three point game, adding to the wealth King knocked one down to bring the score within 10. To end the half, the Vikings scored last with a three, bringing the score to 39-26, the Vikings to head into the half. 

Third Quarter

The Cougars came out of halftime ready to attack the point deficit. Cox led the fire with a floating jumper to make the score 39-28. The Vikings and Reid, for the Cougars, each scored layups keeping the Viking lead the same but brought the score to 41-30. The Cougars had back-to-back turnovers that the Vikings converted into a three pointer and layups, bringing the score to 48-30. The only other points before a media timeout came from the Vikings with a layup. Going into the media timeout the score was 50-30, Vikings. The Vikings capitalized on more turnovers from the Cougars where they quickly made the score 54-30, and forced the Cougars into timeout. The Vikings continued to score unanswered points bringing their points to 58. The Cougars scored in back-to-back possessions with a minute and a half left in the quarter with a made layup from Aniyah Hinton-Henry (Gary, Ind.), and three from MacGregor. The Cougars fouled with seconds left in the quarter, allowing the Vikings to go to the line. Making one free throw, the Vikings brought the score to 59-35 heading into the final quarter. 

Fourth Quarter

The Cougars acted first in the final quarter, where they went 4-2 in the first minute of play, highlighted by a layup from Cox, a steal from Reid, and a jumper by Cox. The two teams would then share possessions and points where the Vikings found themselves up 28, with five minutes of play left. At this time, the score was 71-43. Both teams went scoreless for three minutes of game time, until the scoring silence was ended by the Vikings with a three pointer, making the score 74-43. The Cougars final point of the game came from a made free throw by Alina Paul (Elmwood Park, Ill.). The Vikings dominated the second half and pulled ahead with a deficit too far reachable for the Cougars to come back. The final score was 78-44.

What's Next

The Cougars will head home for Christmas break but will be back on December 29th for their final game of 2024. They will be back at home to take on Manchester University with a 2:00 pm start time. Coverage for all things CUC women's basketball can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.