(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's basketball held their season opener on Wednesday evening when they hosted Grace College. The Lancers entered with a 1-0 record while the Cardinals looked to get their 2020 campaign off to a good start. While CUAA controlled the 1st half of play, Grace pulled away in the 2nd to claim a 69-60 win.
Katie Snow's double-double led Concordia with 13 points and 10 rebounds. J'May Simmons was also in double figures with 10 points. Averi Bebble had 9 points, going 3-5 from behind the arc.
A free throw from Katie Snow gave the Cardinals their first point of the game. Snow added a jumper off a steal and triple from Averi Bebble gave Concordia a 6-4 lead. An old-fashioned three-point play from Asaria Turman led to an 11-10 CUAA advantage at the 2:14 mark. Turman added another layup and Aly Lenz drained a 3-pointer to put Concordia up 18-13 after the 1st.
Paige Johnson hit a jumper to open scoring in the 2nd quarter, but Grace used an 8-1 run to tie the game 21-21 with 3:44 to play in the half. Katie Snow put the Cardinals ahead again with a layup and Averi Bebble drilled another 3-pointer. The game would be tied 26-26 at halftime.
Grace started the 3rd quarter on a 7-0 run until J'May Simmons hit a jumper to stop the run. The Cardinals fought back as Samantha Dorn made a 3-pointer and Aly Lenz scored on the fast break. Allyson Hunt knocked down a three from the corner and Averi Bebble hit a go-ahead 3-pointer. Grace retook the lead with a pair of triples, but Allyson Hunt hit a layup off the glass to cut the deficit to 43-42 after the 3rd.
J'May Simmons opened the 4th quarter with a short jumpshot. Aly Lenz drained a 3-pointer as the lead changed hands. Katie Snow made an early layup, but a 9-0 run combined with cold Cardinal shooting lifted Grace to a 62-51 advantage. CUAA kept fighting late after Katie Snow and J'May Simmons had chances at old-fashioned three-point plays, but Grace held on for the 69-60 win.
Concordia will play their next game on the road this Tuesday, November 3 when the team travels to Taylor. Tip-off is set for 7:00pm.
