(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's basketball returned to play on Sunday afternoon, facing off against the Crusader of Madonna. The Cardinals celebrated Senior Day throughout the day, honoring their seniors and early graduates: Allyson Hunt, Ashley Lupinski, J'may Simmons, Katie Snow, Paige Johnson and Tris'styn Williams. The first half was tightly contested but CUAA eventually pulled away for a 76-57 victory.
Tris'styn Williams led Concordia with 19 points. Katie Snow finished second with 12 points. Stephanie Abraham was also in double figures with 10 points. J'may Simmons had a team-high 10 rebounds along with 5 points.
Tris'styn Williams opened scoring in the game with a pair of layups. Madonna tied the game 4-4 and the next several minutes would feature solid defensive play. Stephanie Abraham added a pair of free throws but Madonna led 10-8 in a low-scoring first quarter.
Tris'styn Williams started the second half with two layups to give the Cardinals the lead. Williams continued to convert in the paint and Taylor Leatherman drilled a triple and a layup for a 21-14 advantage. Madonna used a 10-2 run to retake the lead, but Katie Snow countered with a strong inside basket. Paige Johnson scored with a floater and free throws from Snow and Alize Tripp gave CUAA a 33-30 halftime lead.
Allyson Hunt drilled a three pointer to begin the second half. Hunt tapped a steal to Katie Snow for a layup and Stephanie Abraham scored inside. Alize Tripp hit a triple and Tris'styn Wiliams pushed CUAA's lead to double digits with a layup and two free throws. Allyson Hunt made two free throws and layups from Paige Johnson and Katie Snow put the Cardinals ahead 55-41 after the third period.
Tris'styn Williams opened scoring in the fourth with a basket in the paint. J'may Simmons scored a layup and 3-pointers began to fall from Taylor Leatherman, Paige Johnson, and Simmons. Stephanie Abraham worked hard in the paint and the Cardinals were eventually able to open their bench. Katie Schultz drove for a layup with 4 seconds remaining and Concordia earned the 76-57 win.
The Cardinals move to 8-3 overall with the win and 2-0 in the WHAC. The team will play their next game on Wednesday, February 10 when they travel to Cornerstone. Tip-off is set for 5:00pm.
Seniors (L to R): Ally Hunt, Tris'styn Williams, J'may Simmons, Katie Snow, Ashley Lupinski, Aly Lenz, Paige Johnson
