(Upland, IN) – Concordia women's basketball began their 2019 campaign when the team traveled to Taylor on Friday evening. The Cardinals looked to make a statement against a nationally ranked opponent as the Trojans came in with the #15 rank in the NAIA Preseason Coaches Poll. CUAA pushed Taylor right down to the wire, but the Trojans were able to secure a tight 56-53 win.
Tris'styn Williams (JR/New Baltimore, MI) led Concordia with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks in the game. Shelbea James (SR/Dexter, MI) was also in double figures with 11 points. Katie Snow (JR/Grosse Pointe Woods, MI) added 9 points in the game and Jerrica Neal (SR/Gary, IN) chipped in 8 points.
Concordia jumped to a quick start with an 8-0 run in the 1st quarter. Katie Snow scored the Cardinals' first basket of the game and Tris'styn Williams added a pair of buckets in the paint. Taylor responded with a 9-0 run of their own consisting of three straight triples. Madison Birchmeier (FR/Corunna, MI) tied the game with a free throw, and another point at the charity stripe by J'May Simmons reclaimed the lead for CUAA. Jerrica Neal added a steal and a bucket late in the quarter and Concordia led 13-11 after the 1st.
Tris'styn Williams scored the Cardinals' first basket in the 2nd, putting her team back up on top 15-14. Madison Birchmeier drilled a 3-pointer for Concordia, however the Trojans used a 13-0 run to take a 29-18 lead at the 1:56 mark. Jerrica Neal ended the run with a free throw, but the Cardinals trailed 32-19 at halftime.
Shelbea James scored the first Concordia basket in the 3rd quarter, but a triple by Taylor gave them their largest lead at 37-21. The Cardinals began to rally when an old-fashioned three-point play by Tris'styn Williams began a 16-0 run that tied the game. Katie Snow drove to the basket for a layup, Shelbea James and Jerrica Neal both drilled triples, and Tris'styn Williams capped off the run with another inside basket. CUAA trailed just 38-37 after the 3rd quarter.
Katie Snow used a strong run and a scoop shot to score the first Cardinal points in the 4th quarter. J'May Simmons knocked down a jumper as both teams continued to exchange baskets. Asaria Turman (FR/Ypsilanti, MI) made an impact midway through the quarter, converting an old-fashioned three-point play in the paint to cut her team's deficit to 45-44.
Taylor led 52-45 at the 2:51 mark, but Shelbea James drained a basket and Katie Snow scored a pair of free throws to make it a one-possession game. The Cardinals pulled within a point after a pair of free throws by Tris'styn Williams made it a 54-53 game with 31 seconds to go. However, Taylor was able to run out the clock and added a basket at the buzzer to secure a 56-53 win.
Concordia will play their home opener on Tuesday, October 29 when the team hosts Mount Vernon Nazarene. Tip-off is set for 7:30pm.
