RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) women's basketball team kicked off February with a Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) matchup against Marian University. The Cougars hit their stride early, knocking in nine threes throughout the game to secure the 67-58 victory. Concordia is now 3-16 (2-8 NACC).
Inside the Box
- Khaliah Reid (Naperville, Ill.) led the Cougars with 20 points, three assists, and two steals.
- Mikalah Ellis (Chicago, Ill.) also nabbed two steals and three assists. She also tacked on nine points and a team-high eight rebounds.
- Abby Kulig (Carol Stream, Ill.) made a career-high four blocks.
- The Cougars shot 40.9% from beyond the arc.
How It Happened
First Quarter
Aniyah Hinton-Henry (Gary, Ind.) got the Cougars started with a layup and a three-pointer from
Sydney Nimsakont (Glendale Heights, Ill.), assisted by Reid, put the Cougars ahead, 5-2.
Reid then scored her own from beyond the arc as CUC found their rhythm. Ellis put up the next five points and Reid's driving layup off a Sabres' turnover gave the Cougars a five-point lead, 15-10.
Alisyn MacGregor (Loves Park, Ill.) got in on the long-range game, putting up a three to end the quarter and maintain an 18-12 lead.
Second Quarter
Hannah Lopez (Chicago, Ill.) sank yet another three for the Cougars to open the second quarter.
Kulig held her own in the paint, adding her name to the scoresheet before Reid sank another from beyond the arc to lead 26-15.
Grace King (Fairland, Ind.) put up the Cougars' next four points and free throws from Hinton-Henry and Reid put CUC ahead, 33-26 at the break.
Third Quarter
The Sabres found a bit of a rhythm to start the second half, but Ellis responded quickly on the next play.
Ellis and Reid kept the Cougars ahead, as with two minutes left in the quarter, CUC was up, 39-37.
However, the Sabres snuck away with a 40-39 lead into the final 10 minutes.
Fourth Quarter
Reid started the scoring for the Cougars in the final quarter and a three-pointer from Nimsakont put CUC back in the lead 43-42.
The Sabres answered back but
Linley Southern (Decatur, Ill.) stood her ground and completed an and-one to maintain a one-point lead. Kulig's jump shot and an and-one completed by Reid added to the lead before the Cougars got hot from beyond the arc again. Nimsakont and Reid put up back-to-back threes for an eight-point lead, 57-49.
Marian tried to chip away at the lead, but CUC was solid from the line and came out with a 67-58 victory.
Up Next
The Cougars will remain on their home court for their next NACC game, facing Rockford University on Wednesday February 5. Tipoff will be at 7:00 pm. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
