(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's basketball played their second home game of the week when they hosted Madonna on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals came in 11-9 overall (8-4 WHAC) while the Crusaders entered 5-12 (4-4 WHAC). CUAA pulled ahead early in the first quarter and won their third straight game with a convincing 84-45 victory. The win marked the fifth straight home win versus the Crusaders.
Alize Tripp led the team with 16 points. Mackenzie Howe finished second with a career high 15 points. Taylor Leatherman and Julia Hirt were in double figures with 11 and 10 points respectively. Keirslynn Lawless had a team-high 6 rebounds along with 4 points.
Samantha Dorn opened scoring with a 3-pointer. Izzy Viau added an early layup and Julia Hirt began a 16-0 run with a triple. Taylor Leatherman converted an "and-1" and Mackenzie Howe scored inside to continue the run. Free throws from Monae Palmer, Samantha Dorn, and Alize Tripp contributed to the run. A jumpshot by Julia Hirt put CUAA ahead 23-7 after the first quarter.
Asaria Turman scored inside to open the second quarter. Zaria Mitchner made a free throw and a wide open layup and Mackenzie Howe scored in the paint. Asaria Turman added free throws and Taylor Leatherman drilled a 3-pointer. Keirslynn Lawless got on the board with a layup and Alize Tripp made a quick drive to the basket. Free throws from Julia Hirt and Tripp put CUAA up 42-21 at halftime.
Samantha Dorn made a jumper for the Cardinals' first third-quarter points. Alize Tripp reached double figures with a 3-pointer and both Keirslynn Lawless and Julia Hirt adde baskets. Mackenzie Howe and Monae Palmer drained free throws with Howe adding an "and-1" late in the quarter. CUAA held a 62-34 advantage after the third quarter.
Taylor Leatherman knocked down a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter. Alize Tripp drove straight through the defense for a layup and Julia Hirt made a jumpshot. Monae Palmer made two more three throws and Mackenzie Howe knocked down a triple. The Cardinals opened their bench in the final minutes as Emily McCalla made a layup and Mckenzie Maciejewski knocked down a triple. CUAA earned the 84-45 win as time expired.
Concordia will head on the road this Tuesday, January 25 when they travel to Cornerstone. Tip-off is at 5:30pm.
