(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's basketball opened WHAC play by hosting Lourdes on Wednesday night. The Cardinals turned in a strong first half and weathered several runs by the Gray Wolves to claim a 64-50 win.
Samantha Dorn led the team with 15 points. Julia Hirt finished second with 12 points. Taylor Leatherman had 9 points and tied Keirslynn Lawless for a team-high 6 rebounds.
Ellie Kallner opened scoring with a 3-pointer. Monae Palmer added a basket on the fast break with Taylor Leatherman drawing the assist. Julia Hirt knocked down a triple and a layup and Keirslynn Lawless scored inside. Hirt added another 3-pointer and Lawless took a charge to close out the 1st quarter with CUAA up 15-8.
Samantha Dorn made a layup for Concordia's first points in the 2nd. Monae Palmer drained two free throws as well, but Lourdes pulled closer forcing a Cardinal timeout up 19-16. CUAA responded with a 13-0 run, starting with Keirslynn Lawless scoring through multiple defenders. Julia Hirt made a jumper off glass, Asaria Turman added a putback, and Taylor Leatherman had a layup and two free throws. Izzy Viau capped the run with a layup, and a jumper from Ellie Kallner put CUAA up 34-18 at halftime.
Lourdes started the 3rd quarter on a 12-0 run. Izzy Viau ended the run with a layup off a feed from Asaria Turman, but the Gray Wolves pulled as close as 36-35 with 5:39 to play. Viau knocked down a triple to respond and both Julia Hirt and Keirslynn Lawless added baskets. Samantha Dorn made two free throws and a drive, putting CUAA ahead 47-42 after the 3rd.
Samantha Dorn hit a 3-pointer to start the 4th and added a layup. Taylor Leatherman knocked down a jumper and Dorn stayed hot with another triple. Monae Palmer made a pair of layups down the stretch to keep Concordia up double digits. Free throws from Taylor Leatherman closed out the 64-50 win.
The Cardinals will travel to Rochester this Saturday at 3pm.
