(Southfield, MI) – Concordia women's basketball kicked off WHAC conference play with a road contest at Lawrence Tech on Wednesday night. Both teams looked to start the conference slate off with a strong game. CUAA kept the contest close throughout three quarters, but Lawrence Tech pulled away in the 4th for a 67-53 win.
Alize Tripp led the Cardinals with 19 points. Stephanie Abraham was also in double figures with 13 points. Mackenzie Howe came in third with 9 points. Taylor Leatherman had a team-high 9 rebounds while adding 3 points.
Stephanie Abraham hit a jumpshot to open scoring in the game. After several scoreless minutes, Mackenzie Howe added a layup in the paint. The contest saw early lead changes as Alize Tripp drove for a layup and Howe knocked down a triple. Zaria Mitchner chipped in a late layup for the Cardinals, but the Blue Devils took a 17-13 lead after the first quarter.
Alize Tripp made two free throws to open the second quarter. Concordia held Lawrence Tech scoreless for nearly the first 4 minutes of the quarter and a triple from Stephanie Abraham put the team up 18-17. The Cardinals continued to hustle for offensive rebounds with Mackenzie Howe and Taylor Leatherman adding layups. A buzzer-beating drive to the hoop from Alize Tripp gave CUAA a 24-23 lead at halftime.
Stephanie Abraham made a layup to open scoring in the third quarter. Alize Tripp drilled a triple and Asaria Turman made an offensive putback for a 32-27 lead. After the Blue Devils responded with an 8-0 run, Alize Tripp drove for a layup and hit a 3-pointer to put Concordia back on top. Zaria Mitchner made a floater in the lane and Mackenzie Howe scored inside in the final minutes. A deep last-second triple from Julia Hirt put CUAA ahead 44-43 heading to the fourth quarter.
Stephanie Abraham drove up the middle for a layup and made a short jumper to open the final frame. After Lawrence Tech tied the game, Alize Tripp put the Cardinals back ahead with a layup. However, the Blue Devils controlled play down the stretch by using a 17-0 run to surge back ahead. Alize Tripp ended the run with a late 3-pointer but Lawrence Tech came away with the win.
Concordia will hold their home WHAC opener this Saturday, November 13 when they host Indiana Tech at 1pm.