Minneapolis, Minn. - The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Cougars women's basketball team made the trip to North Central University to battle against the Rams. After an intense first half, the Cougars couldn't keep up their momentum and fell to the Rams 60-54. 

Inside the Box Score: 

• Naveya Jackson (Sun Prairie, Wis.) was tonight's leader, scoring 18 points and 5 rebounds.
• Grace King (Fairland, Ind.) came up second with 12 points and nine rebounds.
• Hannah Lopez (Chicago, Ill.) led with 10 rebounds, along with teammates King (nine rebounds) and Kira Holliday (Roselle, Ill.), who had eight rebounds.

Here's What Happened 
First Quarter 
The Cougars started off the scoring with a layup from Ai Yonemura (Yachiyo, Chiba-Japan). A little over two minutes later, Holliday delivered a layup, putting the Cougars further up. The Rams managed to get their first points through two free throws, joining the Cougars on the scoreboard. Jackson made her way into the game, putting up some free throws and a layup. The Cougars get to double digits, leading 10-4. A Ram made a layup, putting the team within one of the Cougars with 1:47 remaining. The Cougars wasted no time in scoring four additional points, putting themselves further into the lead, 17-12. 


Second Quarter 
The Rams were first to score for the quarter, putting up a quick layup. The Rams come up with a pull up jumper, putting them within one of the Cougars once again. Holliday made a free throw, widening the point gap between the teams. Jocelyn Chammas (Chicago, Ill.) managed to put up the game's first three-pointer, assisting the Cougars in their 5-0 run. The Rams get two layups, putting them behind the Cougars before free throws by Emma Nickerson (Lake City, Mich.) keeps the team up. With 30 seconds left, the Rams took the lead for the first time with a three-pointer. King laid down a jumper, easily putting the Cougars back on top, just in time for halftime. 

Third Quarter 
The Rams were first in scoring for the quarter, a layup putting them back in the lead. The Rams continued to score, going on a 6-0 run against the Cougars. Jackson was able to make a three-point jumper, but this was followed up by a three-pointer from a Ram, keeping the Rams up 34-29. Jackson battled back with a layup and a free throw, putting the Cougars within two. The teams tied up at 34 apiece after a layup from King. The Rams retaliated with a hook shot and a three-pointer, putting them back up. Lopez landed a three-pointer, continuing the Cougars' fight. 


Fourth Quarter 
Abbi Dykstra (Yale, Mich.) was the first to score this quarter, tying up the teams up at 43 after a three-pointer from the corner. The Cougars finally gained their lead back with a driving layup from Jackson. The teams went back and forth as the Rams gained a lead again. The teams continued to exchange leads, trying their hardest to stay on top. With 2:00 remaining, the Rams maintained a lead with 53-49. A layup from King kept the Cougars in the running. The Rams went on to have a six-point advantage, beating out the Cougars with a final score of 60-54. 


What's Next 
The team will take a week long break before hosting Lake Forest College on November 25th - on their home court in Geiseman Gymnasium, at 6:00 pm. Coverage for all things CUC women's basketball can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.