(Spring Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's basketball continued the 2020 season with a non-conference match against Spring Arbor. The Cardinals came into the tilt with a 2-1 record while the Cougars entered 1-1. While the game was tightly contested in the first half, a strong third quarter lifted CUAA to a 72-62 victory.
J'May Simmons led the Cardinals with 15 points in the game. Katie Snow finished with 14 points and a team-high 6 rebounds. Averi Bebble frounded out a balanced scoring attack with 7 points and led the team with 4 steals.
Tris'styn Williams scored in the paint to open scoring in the game. Allyson Hunt hit a high-arcing triple and Katie Snow made a layup off the high glass. After a 7-0 run gave Spring Arbor a 9-7 lead, J'May Simmons used a strong drive to tie the game. Tris'styn Williams made a pair of free throws and Paige Johnson added a triple, but CUAA trailed 15-14 after the first quarter.
Samantha Dorn put Concordia back ahead with two free throws to open the second quarter. J'May Simmons spun in the paint for a basket and Averi Bebble took a steal the length of the court for a layup. Alize Tripp drained a 3-pointer and a layup for a 25-21 Cardinal lead, but Spring Arbor again used a 7-0 run to reclaim the advantage. CUAA fought back after Katie Snow split the defense for a basket and J'May Simmons hit a go-ahead triple. Concordia led 30-29 at halftime.
J'May Simmons converted a reverse layup to open scoring in the third quarter, beginning a 9-2 run to give the Cardinals a 39-31 lead. Concordia continued their offensive onslaught with a pair of free throws from Averi Bebble and a triple from Stephanie Abraham. J'May Simmons scored several more times in the paint and Paige Johnson knocked down a triple from the corner. The Cardinals outscored the Cougars 28-12 in the third quarter and held a 58-41 advantage. The Cardinals efficiency on the offensive end led to a 60% field goal percentage.
Taylor Leatherman made a 3-pointer for Concordia's first basket in the fourth, but the Cardinals had to weather a final Spring Arbor run in the final frame. The Cougars pulled within 9 points at the 4:06 mark with CUAA holding a 65-56 lead, but Allyson Hunt quickly answered with a triple. Free throws by Katie Snow and Samantha Dorn helped to ice the game away and Concordia claimed the 72-62 win.
Coach Haffey was pleased with his team's effort and ability to adjust on the fly tonight. "Give Spring Arbor credit, they put us in situations defensively that we haven't seen yet this season and struggled with tonight," said Haffey. "We have had a next man up mentality so far this season, and I am happy with how our team has remained flexible. Our bench does an ubelieveable job of buying into roles, accepting what each game calls for, and giving energy to the five players on the floor."
Concordia's next game was originally scheduled for Friday, November 13th at Hillsdale College but that has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 18th. More changes to the Cardinals schedule will be announced soon.
