(Marion, IN) – Concordia women's basketball traveled to #23 Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday afternoon to continue their season. The Cardinals entered 4-2 overall while the Wildcats came in 13-3. CUAA traded baskets with the Wildcats early in the game, but Indiana Wesleyan pulled away in the second half for an 83-52 win.
J'May Simmons led Concordia with 14 points in the game. Averi Bebble finished second with 8 points. Katie Snow had a team-high 8 rebounds and added 7 points.
Katie Snow used a shot fake and a drive to the hoop to tie the game 2-2 early on. J'May Simmons spun for an early basket, but the Wildcats took an early 10-4 lead. The Cardinals fought back as Tris'styn Williams used an offensive putback and Averi Bebble knocked down a triple. Alize Tripp scored after an offensive rebound and drilled a late three pointer, but CUAA trailed 19-15 after the first quarter of play.
A free throw from Tris'styn Williams opened scoring in the second quarter. Indiana Wesleyan used a 6-0 run to extend their lead, but a block from Williams sprang Concordia's fast break and led to a midrange jumper from Allyson Hunt. J'May Simmons scored seven straight Cardinal points down the stretch with a bankshot, a putback, and a triple. However, Indiana Wesleyan led 33-25 at the half.
J'May Simmons scored Concordia's first basket in the 3rd off a solid feed from Katie Snow. Averi Bebble and Simmons both tacked on triples, but a 12-0 Indiana Wesleyan run gave them a 52-33 lead at the 2:34 mark. Asaria Turman ended the run with a power move in the paint, but CUAA trailed 54-35 after the third quarter.
Samantha Dorn knocked down a three for the first Concordia basket in the fourth quarter. Dorn added a pair of free throws and Allyson Hunt also drilled a triple. Katite Snow notched two layups and Averi Bebble added a floater, but the Wildcats continued to stretch and maintain their lead. The Cardinals emptied their bench late in the game and Ashley Lupinski hit a three, however CUAA would fall by a final score of 83-52.
Concordia will head to West Virginia for a weekend double header. The Cardinals will play Bluefield State on Friday at 7pm followed by West Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon.
