(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's basketball hosted Marian on Saturday afternoon in their last game before the Christmas break. The Cardinals looked to pick up one more win in the non-conference matchup against the 7th ranked Knights. CUAA kept the first half close and briefly took the lead in the second half, but Marian pulled away for a 67-54 win.
Samantha Dorn led the Cardinals with 11 points. Alize Tripp finished second with 10 points. Julia Hirt and Zaria Mitchner tied for third with 9 points. Taylor Leatherman had a team-high 7 rebounds along with 3 points.
Zaria Mitchner made a layup for Concordia's first basket. Alize Tripp added a pair of free throws and Asaria Turman converted inside as the teams traded points. Julia Hirt added two free throws and Turman scored inside again as the Cardinals trailed by just a few points. Mackenzie Howe and Zaria Mitchner scored late in the quarter but Marian led 20-16 after the 1st.
Samantha Dorn drained a triple to cut Concordia's deficit to 24-19. Alize Tripp converted an old-fashioned three-point play and Zaria Mitchner tied the game 24-24 with two free throws. Julia Hirt and Taylor Leatherman added layups but CUAA trailed 32-29 at halftime.
Samantha Dorn tied the game with a triple and Alize Tripp gave the Cardinals their first lead with a 3-pointer. Asaria Turman pump-faked to avoid a block and scored inside, but Marian regained their lead and went up 51-39 late in the quarter. Zaria Mitchner ended their run with a layup and Samantha Dorn drained a late triple but CUAA trailed 51-44 after the 3rd.
Julia Hirt made a layup for Concordia's first fourth-quarter basket. Keirslynn Lawless and Asaria Turman scored in the paint but Marian continued to stay ahead. The Cardinals attempted to foul in the final minutes to stop the clock and make a comeback, but Marian claimed the 67-54 win.
Concordia will return home on Wednesday, December 29 when they host Great Lakes Christian College. Tip-off is at 5:30pm.
