RIVER FOREST, ILL.- The Concordia University (CUC) Cougars women's basketball hosted at home against Rockford University for another week of Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). After trailing eleven points, the Cougars made a comeback for a 61-45 lead.
INSIDE THE BOX
- Ai Yonemura (Yachiyo, Chiba-Japan) led the Cougars with 23 points, adding five rebounds and four steals.
- Sophia Pedraza (Carol Stream, Ill.) contributed a career-high 15 points for the Cougars with five steals and one rebound.
- Naveya Jackson (Sun Prairie, Wis.) hit double digits with ten points, three rebounds and two steals.
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED:
QUARTER ONE
Yonemura started the Cougar's offense, scoring two points to tie the game early at 2-2. Despite Rockford creating an 11-point lead, Yonemura responded with a three-pointer as the quarter ended with Rockford leading 13-5.
QUARTER TWO
Needing to turn things around after a slow first quarter, Yonemura started strong with a free throw, quickly followed by a layup from
Abby Kulig (Carol Stream, Ill.), adding two more points. The Cougars then called a timeout to bring in fresh legs. With the defense picking up, a steal from
Abbi Dykstra (Yale, Mich.) led to an ESPN level behind-the-back pass from Yonemura to King shifted all the momentum which then led to consecutive scores from Yonemura, King, and Pedraza, closing in on Rockford's lead to 22-16.
Pedraza provided a much needed spark late in the second quarter with seven consecutive points off an and-one, a steal and score, and two more free throws. A single free throw from
Abbi Dykstra (Yale, Mich.) to bring the score within one point, leaving the Cougars trailing at half 22-21.
QUARTER THREE
The second half began with a jump shot from Yonemura to keep the Cougars within one. Another steal and score from Yonemura gave the Cougars immediate momentum. Kulig followed up with a layup and two free throws. A three-pointer from Yonemura then put the Cougars in the lead for the first time of the day. Jackson and Pedraza contributed a combined 14 points through layups, jump shots, and three-pointers, extending the Cougars lead to 17 points.
QUARTER FOUR
Yonemura kicked off the final quarter with a three-pointer quickly followed by a layup. Pedraza kept the momentum going with a jump shot. Not letting Rockford back into the game, Yonemura hit a jump shot and made both free throws.
Linley Southern (Decatur, Ill.) and Kulig added the score with layups, securing a 61-45 victory for the Cougars with a 16-point lead.
WHAT'S NEXT
The team will visit their next door neighbors on Dec. 10th against Dominican University. The game will take place at 5:00 pm in the Igini Sports Forum. Coverage for all things CUC women's basketball can be found at
cucougars.com/coverage.
