(Winona Lake, IN) – Concordia women's basketball competed in the third-place game at the NCCAA National Championships on Saturday morning. The Cardinals faced off against the #1 seed Southwestern Christian in the consolation matchup. CUAA played a closely contested three quarters against the Eagles, but Southwestern pulled away in the 4th for an 80-64 win.
Katie Snow had a double-double, scoring 12 points and a team-high 13 rebounds. Samantha Dorn also tied for the team high with 12 points going 4-7 from behind the arc. Averi Bebble finished with 11 points, shooting 3-4 from three point range. J'may Simmons was also in double figures with 10 points.
Allyson Hunt made a pair of free throws to end a 5-0 Southwestern run. Stephanie Abraham scored inside and Averi Bebble dropped in a 3-pointer as the teams traded baskets early on. Tris'styn Williams tied the game 9-9 with a basket inside and Katie Snow made two free throws for Concordia's first lead. Samantha Dorn drilled a triple and Snow drove for another basket. Stephanie Abraham added another bucket in the paint, but the Eagles came back to take a 22-18 lead after the 1st.
Stephanie Abraham ended a 7-0 Southwestern run with a finger roll layup on the baseline. Southwestern extended their lead to 35-20, but Averi Bebble cut into the deficit with a triple. After trailing 38-23, a J'may Simmons free throw started a 15-2 CUAA run. Taylor Leatherman added an offensive putback, Katie Snow drained a 3-pointer, and Samantha Dorn chipped in two triples. CUAA trailed 42-38 at halftime.
Katie Snow knocked down a 3-pointer to begin the 3rd quarter, pulling the team within 1 point. The Eagles answered with 5 straight points until Averi Bebble made two free throws. Asaria Turman scored a basket inside, but Southwestern managed to take a double-digit lead with a 55-45 advantage. J'may Simmons converted an old-fashioned three-point play to begin a 9-2 run, capped off by another Samantha Dorn triple and a Tris'styn Williams basket. CUAA trailed 59-54 after the 3rd.
Asaria Turman made Concordia's first basket in the 4th. J'may Simmons ended an 8-0 run by the Eagles with a 3-pointer, but Southwestern began to pull away. Averi Bebble knocked down a 3-pointer and Katie Snow made a drive to the basket, but the Eagles were able to hold on to secure an 80-64 win.
NCCAA post season awards including all-tournament team, midwest region team, all-academic, and all-american teams will be announced upon the conclusion of the tournament.
