(Chicago, IL) – Concordia women's basketball kicked off the 69th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament with a first-round matchup against Concordia-Nebraska. The Cardinals entered the tilt with a 12-7 overall record while the #3-ranked Bulldogs came in 18-2. CUAA stayed competitive in the 1st half, but the team was unable to erase a strong 3rd quarter by the Bulldogs in a 74-49 loss.
Tris'styn Williams led the Cardinals with a double-double, notching a team-high 19 points and 12 rebounds in the game. Katie Snow and Lindsey Ferrington tied for second with 11 points apiece.
Tris'styn Williams opened scoring in the game with a layup in the paint. The Bulldogs responded with a 5-1 run to take an early lead, but Lindsey Ferrington knocked down a high-arcing triple to put the Cardinals back ahead 6-5. Both teams utilized a full-court press early in the game, causing many turnovers on either side. The Bulldogs took a 16-10 lead late in the 1st quarter, but Katie Snow cut into the deficit with a contested 3-pointer over a defender. CUAA trailed 16-13 after the 1st.
J'May Simmons knocked down a jumper at the free throw line to start the 2nd. The Cardinals continued a 9-5 run as Tris'styn Williams made a pair of free throws, Lindsey Ferrington made a deep 3-pointer, and Paige Johnson scored the go-ahead layup for a 22-21 lead. However, the Bulldogs closed the half on a 10-3 run to lead 32-24 at halftime.
Katie Snow used a nifty move to score a layup for Concordia's first basket in the 3rd. Tris'styn Williams converted an old-fashioned three-point play, but the Bulldogs controlled the quarter outscoring the Cardinals 28-7. CUAA trailed 61-30 after the 3rd.
The Cardinals went on a 13-0 run to begin the 4th as they attempted to mount a comeback. Tris'styn Williams made a pair of layups, Katie Snow made a pair of free throws and a deep triple, and Lindsey Ferrington capped off the run with a 3-pointer. Jerrica Neal added a jumper later in the quarter, but the Bulldogs were able to rebuild their lead and clamp down defensively to secure a 74-49 win.
The Cardinals will play in the consolation game tomorrow at 1:45 against the loser of the Concordia-Chicago vs. Concordia-Wisconsin game later today.
