(Chicago, IL) – Concordia women's basketball competed in the consolation game on Saturday afternoon in the 69th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament. The Cardinals faced off against the host Cougars of Concordia-Chicago in a battle for third place. CUAA jumped out to a hot start and maintained their lead throughout the game to secure a 76-63 victory for third place.
Tris'styn Williams led the Cardinals with 16 points in the game. J'May Simmons had a double-double, scoring 13 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Asaria Turman also recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
A floater from Tris'styn Williams opened scoring in the game. Williams scored all 9 CUAA points as the team opened with a 9-3 lead at the 5:31 mark. Jade Finfera drained a 3-pointer and J'may Simmons made a midrange jumper as the Cardinalsl continued to stay on top. Jerrica Neal knocked down a triple for an 18-9 lead with 1:46 to go. The Cougars used a 6-0 run to pull within 3 points, but another jumper from Simmons and a free throw from Madison Birchmeier put CUAA ahead 21-15 after the 1st.
Tris'styn Williams used an offensive putback and a layup for the Cardinals' first basket of the 2nd quarter. Asaria Turman and Samantha Dorn each drained a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer from Jade Finfera led to a 31-20 CUAA advantage. Dorn made another two free throws and Lindsey Ferrington knocked down a deep triple to put the Cardinals ahead 36-24. Asaria Turman scored on an offensive putback with 49 seconds left and CUAA led 40-33 heading to halftime.
A jumper from Tris'styn Williams gave the Cardinals their first points in the 3rd. J'May Simmons made a layup and Madison Birchmeier drained a triple for a 47-39 lead at the 6:48 mark. Simmons added another fast break layup as CUAA continued to stay ahead. A free throw from Simmons pushed the Cardinals' advantage back to double digits with a 56-46 lead with 1:42 to go. CUAA led 57-50 after the 3rd.
Once again Tris'styn Williams opened scoring in the 4th with a midrange jumpshot. Asaria Turman converted an old-fashioned three-point play to put CUAA ahead 62-52 at the 7:39 mark. The Cougars made a strong comeback effort with a 9-2 run, cutting the Cardinals' lead to 64-61 with 5:02 to play. However the Cardinals rallied back with an old-fashioned three-point play from Katie Snow. Snow, Lindsey Ferrington and Paige Johnson made critical free throws in the final minutes of the quarter as CUAA secured the 76-63 win for third place.
The Cardinals will return to action at home on Wednesday, January 29 when they host Lawrence Tech. Tip-off is set for 6pm
