(Livonia, MI) – Concordia women's basketball traveled to Madonna on Wednesday evening to continue WHAC conference play. The Cardinals entered 11-6 overall and 6-4 in WHAC play while the Crusaders came in 3-14 overall and 1-18 in conference. Madonna came in looking to pull the upset and forced overtime, but CUAA controlled play in the extra period and won 81-72.
Asaria Turman (FR/Ypsilanti, MI) and Katie Snow (JR/Grosse Pointe Woods, MI) tied with a team-high 20 points in the game. Madison Birchmeier (FR/Corunna, MI) scored 11 points in the match. Averi Bebble (SO/Gaylord, MI) was also in double figures with 10 points. J'May Simmons led the team with 9 rebounds while chipping in 9 points.
A free throw from Averi Bebble gave Concordia their first point. After falling behind 4-1, the Cardinals took the lead after Madison Birchmeier hit a jumper and Paige Johnson (SO/Howell, MI) scored off a feed from Katie Snow. CUAA continued an 8-0 run after an offensive putback by Birchmeier and a spinning layup from Samantha Dorn (FR/Brownstown, MI). Madonna used a 6-0 run to retake the lead, but Averi Bebble put Concordia back ahead with a 3-pointer. However, the Crusaders went on an 8-2 run to close the 1st quarter with an 18-14 lead.
Samantha Dorn made a quick drive for the first basket of the 2nd quarter. Averi Bebble converted a coast-to-coast layup and Stephanie Abraham (SO/Marine City, MI) made an offensive putback to put the Cardinals back ahead 20-19. Asaria Turman was strong in the post with 3 free throws and a layup down the stretch as the lead continued to change hands. The Cardinals held a 31-30 advantage heading to the locker room.
Madonna scored 5 unanswered points to take a 35-31 lead. J'May Simmons ended the run with a midrange jumper and a pair of layups from Asaria Turman tied the game 37-37 at the 6:11 mark. Both teams continued to exchange baskets with Katie Snow making a falling scoop shot for Concordia. Snow tied the game 46-46 with a reverse layup, and J'May Simmons drew contact with 2.7 seconds remaining and made a free throw to give CUAA a 47-46 lead after the 3rd.
Asaria Turman ripped a rebound away from a Madonna defender and made a layup to open scoring in the 4th quarter. Turman added another layup and a pair of jumpers from J'May Simmons put the Cardinals ahead 55-49 with 7:38 to play. However, a 10-2 Madonna run gave the Crusaders a 59-57 lead.
Katie Snow and Asaria Turman continued to pace the Concordia offense as the game remained within 1-2 points in the final minutes. Madonna took a 65-63 lead with 24 seconds to go, but Katie Snow made a crucial game-tying layup at the 12-second mark. The Cardinals made a key defensive stop in the final seconds and the game went to overtime.
CUAA came out flying after winning the overtime tip-off with Averi Bebble making a quick fast-break layup and Katie Snow scoring off a steal by Bebble. Snow continued to dominate the extra frame with 6 free throws and a triple as CUAA built and maintained a lead. Concordia outscored Madonna 16-7 in the period to secure a hard-fought 81-72 victory.
The Cardinals improve to 12-6 overall and 7-4 in WHAC play. The team will remain on the road on Saturday, January 18 when they travel to rival Siena Heights, currently ranked #14. Tip-off is set for 1pm.
