(Rochester, MI) – Concordia women's basketball traveled to Rochester on Wednesday evening for a WHAC conference matchup. The Cardinals came in 14-9 overall and 8-6 in the WHAC while the Warriors entered 8-15 overall with a 6-8 conference record. CUAA jumped out to a quick start and led throughout the game, earning an 86-64 victory.
Tris'styn Williams led Concordia with 21 points and a team-high 5 rebounds in the game. Asaria Turman finished second with 13 points. Jerrica Neal, Samantha Dorn and Shelbea James tied for third with 8 points apiece.
Tris'styn Williams knocked down a turnaround jumpshot to open scoring in the game. Williams recorded the first 6 points in a quick start for the Cardinals with J'May Simmons and Averi Bebble adding layups. Samantha Dorn drilled a triple to give Concordia a 13-3 lead at the 4:59 mark. Asaria Turman made an impact inside with a layup and a free throw and Jerrica Neal drained a 3-pointer late in the quarter. CUAA led 22-12 after the 1st.
Tris'styn Williams scored the first basket in the 2nd half, beginning a 7-0 run which was capped off by an old-fashioned three-point play by Madison Birchmeier. Paige Johnson made a pair of free throws and Jerrica Neal drained a triple as the Cardinals continued to extend their lead. A layup from Tris'styn Williams gave the team their largest lead of the half with a 40-19 advantage at the 3:48 mark. While Rochester closed the half on a 7-2 run, CUAA led 42-26 heading to the locker room.
Tris'styn Williams made a short jumper to begin scoring in the 3rd. Paige Johnson knocked down a shot from behind the arc and Asaria Turman showed her range with a 3-pointer as well. Jade Finfera made a floater from the left side of the basket as the Cardinals continued to convert on offense. CUAA led 62-38 after the 3rd.
Asaria Turman scored a pair of layups in the paint to extend the Concordia lead in the 4th quarter. Katie Snow finished an old-fashioned three-point play and Samantha Dorn drilled a triple. Averi Bebble drained a pair of free throws and Jerrica Neal scored a layup as the Cardinals continued to push the pace. Shelbea James made a pair of layups and a 3-pointer down the stretch and Rebecca Laberge chipped in two free throws as well. CUAA secured the 86-64 victory as time expired.
Concordia improves to 15-9 overall and 9-6 in the WHAC. The Cardinals will return home on Saturday, February 8 when the team hosts Aquinas in a crucial game for WHAC playoff positioning. Tip-off is set for 1pm.
