(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's basketball hosted Aquinas on Wednesday night to begin the 2023 calendar year. The Cardinals' defense held the Saints to a 29.2% field goal percentage in a dominant 67-48 victory.
Samantha Dorn set new career highs with 23 points and 4 blocks. Julia Hirt was second with 13 points. Taylor Leatherman had 11 points and tied Zaria Mitchner for a team-high 8 rebounds.
Julia Hirt opened scoring with a 3-pointer. Izzy Viau added a jumper and Samantha Dorn knocked down two triples. Taylor Leatherman chipped in a 3-pointer as the Cardinal defense held Aquinas scoreless for a 4:30 period. CUAA led 14-6 after the 1st.
Samantha Dorn had a 3-pointer several minutes into the 2nd quarter. Julia Hirt made a triple and Dorn drove for a layup. Taylor Leatherman added a basket and both Izzy Hadley and Zaria Mitchner converted free throws. Samantha Dorn made another drive to the basket and Asaria Turman had two free throws. CUAA led 32-18 at halftime.
Julia Hirt made a slick pass to Ellie Kallner for a basket to open the 3rd. Hirt converted an "and-1" and dished another quick dime to Taylor Leatherman for a layup. Zaria Mitchner drove to the basket and Samantha Dorn hit another 3-pointer for a 47-20 lead. Aquinas began a comeback attempt with a 12-2 run to close the quarter, giving CUAA a 49-32 advantage.
Samantha Dorn hit a jumper in the 4th quarter. Taylor Leatherman and Keirslynn Lawless added layups and both Julia Hirt and Dorn knocked down 3-pointers. Jess Andrew got on the scoresheet late in the game with a free throw, a steal and a layup. The Cardinals secured a 67-48 win as time expired.
Concordia will play a key road game at #13 Indiana Tech this Saturday at 1pm.
